Government approves plan to evacuate and treat 30 sick children from Gaza in Irish hospitals

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said it is in response to the World Health Organisation (WHO) request to address the current health needs of people from Gaza.

The minister said he and his officials spent “months working on the proposal alongside medical doctors, the Irish Red Cross (IRC) and other Government Departments including the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Social Protection.

“The HSE will act in a central coordination role across all required services/service providers on arrival and travel to hospital or accommodation as appropriate.”

He added: “I really want to thank the nurses, the doctors, the Irish Red Cross and all who have been involved in ensuring Ireland steps up to this need. This is a modest but important step given the scale of the horrific conflict by the Israeli military forces. The continued and deliberate attacks on civilians and on healthcare facilities are wrong and should stop.”

Around 30 child patients could be treated here before…