The first group of Palestinian children to receive healthcare treatment in Ireland arrived yesterday evening, following an appeal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to address the Gazan population’s health needs.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed the group’s arrival today, for which Government approval was secured in September.
The eight children arrived in Dublin late Thursday evening accompanied by eight carers and 11 siblings.
The group arrived on a plane provided by the Slovakian Government for the medical evacuation and were accompanied by three medical doctors from the HSE as well as a translator.
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming TD welcomed the group upon arrival, alongside Palestinian ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid and Andrej Droba, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic.
The group are due to receive a full medical assessment today.
“I’m pleased that the first medical evacuation of Palestinian children and their carers/guardians to Ireland has now happened, and that the Irish health service is now providing care to these children. I want to offer my sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, HSE, Irish Red Cross, WHO, the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism, the officials across government departments, and all who have been involved in this successful operation,” Minister Donnelly said, adding that “there is no justification for the deliberate attacks on civilians and healthcare services in Gaza and the loss of life has been devastating”.
“Ireland has been clear that this conflict should stop. I’m pleased that Ireland is playing a part in treating children whose lives have been devastated by this needless war and I wish these children well in their time ahead here in Ireland,” he said.
Ireland is expected to receive up to 30 paediatric patients from Gaza, with health needs categorised under cancer, haemodialysis and patients with other severe medical conditions.
“Ireland will continue to opt in on a case-by-case basis for each child who requires treatment, subject to the necessary capacity being available at that time,” a press release from the Department of Health reads.