The UK has welcomed the arrival of a first group of critically ill children from Gaza, seeking urgent medical treatment at NHS hospitals. The young patients were evacuated from the war-torn region with their families after the healthcare system in Gaza was severely affected. The World Health Organization facilitated the medical evacuations of ten critically ill children to the UK, accompanied by 50 companions. This move follows a recent report accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The situation in Gaza has led to over 50,000 children being killed or injured since October 2023.
The initiative to bring these children to the UK for specialized medical care was announced by Keir Starmer earlier this year. The deteriorating healthcare infrastructure in Gaza made it crucial to evacuate these children for life-saving treatment. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the importance of protecting children in conflict zones and the urgent need for medical supplies to reach Gaza.
The children and their families were evacuated from Gaza to Jordan with the assistance of British Embassy staff and underwent thorough security checks before entering the UK. Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed deep concern for the plight of the children in Gaza and the necessity of providing them with healing and care. Professor Nicola Ranger from the Royal College of Nursing highlighted the readiness of NHS staff to offer the best possible treatment to these young patients.
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