Australia issues national apology to thalidomide tragedy survivors

ANKARA

The Australian government issued a national apology on Wednesday to survivors of the thalidomide tragedy in the early 1960s.

"The Albanese government and the Australian Parliament, on behalf of the people of Australia has today offered a full, unreserved and overdue apology to all thalidomide survivors, their families, loved ones and carers," said the Prime Minister's Office in a statement.

The apology was made in the presence of survivors, along with their family members, caregivers, and supporters, at the parliament.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged that his government will reopen the Thalidomide Survivors Support Program to ensure that "everyone gets support."

In the early 1960s, thalidomide was an active ingredient in a sedative drug that was widely distributed to many mothers in Australia and throughout the world. It was later found that it causes limb, facial, and internal organ malformations in unborn children.

There are 146 Thalidomide survivors registered with the Australian Thalidomide Survivors Support Program, according to official estimates, but "the exact number of those affected is unknown."

The Albanese government on Thursday will also unveil a National Site of Recognition on Lake Burley Griffin’s shores.

“This apology takes in one of the darkest chapters in Australia’s medical history," said Albanese.

“To the survivors: we apologise for the pain thalidomide has inflicted on each and every one of you, each and every day," he added.

The apology was recommended by a Senate inquiry in 2019.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid