The Lindsay Tribunal into the infection of haemophiliacs with Hepatitis C and HIV has been hearing more personal testimony. One woman told the Tribunal that she felt her life was gone, after seeing two of her sons die from AIDS-related infections as a result of receiving contaminated blood products.
Another woman said that her diagnosis with Hepatitis C had had an awful effect on her and she was finding it very hard to cope with. This is the final phase of the Tribunal. There will be more personal testimony from witnesses tomorrow.
After that, the Tribunal will hear some evidence from technical witnesses in relation to matters such as medical records. Final submissions are due on 5 November.
The first witness this morning, gave evidence under the pseudonym, "Marian". She told the Tribunal that she was the mother of four boys, three of whom had severe haemophilia. Two of her sons have since died from Hepatitis C and AIDS-related infections. The third has HIV but is still alive.
"Marian" told the Tribunal she was lucky to have him. "Marian" said that she felt her life was gone - she told the tribunal her sons' infection with HIV and Hepatitis C was the biggest blow she had ever received and she still could not believe it had happened. She said that it was very hard for a mother to see two sons gone.
The second witness used the pseudonym "Niamh". She told the Tribunal that she has a very rare form of Haemophilia. She said she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 1995, only after her brother suggested that she get tested for the disease. She said that she was "extremely upset". She said that she was finding it extremely hard to cope with and she wished she had a normal life.
The Tribunal will continue hearing personal testimony tomorrow morning.
