TOKYO, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The Japanese government has disclosed the names of over 6,900 hospitals that apparently used hepatitis-tainted blood products between 1980 and 1994.
At least 10,000 people are believed to have been infected with the hepatitis C virus across Japan, through tainted blood products supplied by Mitsubishi Pharma Corp.
According to the company, from 1980 to 1994 more than 280,000 people were administered the blood coagulant product fibrinogen to stop bleeding during operations or childbirth.
Democratic Party of Japan politician Satoru Ienishi, who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C through another blood product, had requested the disclosure in December 2002.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare initially turned down his request, but on Thursday disclosed the list of 6,933 medical institutions involved after the politician lodged a protest against the previous rejection, reported Mainichi Shimbun Friday.
