British health service officials were forced to back away from offering a black woman undergoing a foot amputation a white artificial foot as a cheaper option than one in her own skin colour, after media reports publicised the case on Monday.
Ingrid Nichols from Calcot near Reading west of London has still to have the operation.
Speaking to the BBC on Monday, she said: ”I had to make a joke of it at the time because, obviously, I am mixed race and I said, Oh that’s taking it a little bit too far. But I was so angry and hurt,” she said.
The alternative originally offered her was for an expensive private prosthesis costing 3 000 pounds ($4 800).
The Disability Rights Commission called the case ”an absolute disgrace”.
A spokesperson for the state-funded National Health Service said white was the colour offered initially, but that officials had reconsidered their position.
”She was originally told she would have to pay more for any other colour, but that has now been resolved,” the spokesperson said.
Nichols said, however, that she had not heard that the decision had been reversed. ”I’ve not yet been informed. It would be nice to hear from them,” she said.
”I hope that after this case they will make it easier for people to have matching legs,” she told the BBC. – Sapa-DPA