During a visit to Amman, Jordan, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper commended the courage of young evacuees from Gaza receiving crucial medical treatment.
One of the children, Mohammed, aged 8, underwent an amputation of his leg following an explosion near his residence in Khan Younis four months back. After initial care in a field hospital in Gaza, he was flown to Amman for further treatment and the fitting of a prosthetic limb.
Despite the challenges, Mohammed successfully learned to walk with his new prosthetic leg. Ms. Cooper met him at the Specialty Hospital in Amman, where medical professionals are attending to patients brought in from the conflict-affected area.
Expressing admiration for Mohammed’s bravery, Ms. Cooper listened as he shared his aspiration to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a police officer. She encouraged his ambition, foreseeing a promising future for him. Mohammed is currently engaged in online education, focusing on subjects like English, Arabic, and Mathematics, while also avidly supporting Real Madrid football club.
The Foreign Secretary also interacted with sisters Sarraa, 17, and Sara, 15, who sustained severe injuries in a bombing incident in December 2024. The sisters endured a traumatic ordeal, including being trapped under debris for over an hour before being rescued.
Following the attack, the sisters received initial medical care in Gaza City, but the lack of necessary equipment hindered Sara’s spinal evaluation. After living in makeshift tents amidst their destroyed home for six months, they were eventually airlifted to Jordan in June for specialized treatment.
Since arriving in Amman, Sarraa underwent reconstructive surgery for a head wound and eye injury, in addition to a procedure on her leg. Sara, who was initially paralyzed, has regained partial use of her upper body and can now move in a wheelchair. Dr. Osama Hamed, a dedicated surgeon, has been providing assistance within Gaza despite the challenging circumstances.
Dr. Hamed described the dire situation within Gaza, citing severe shortages of medical supplies and escalating malnutrition among patients. The healthcare system has been severely compromised, leaving medical professionals with agonizing decisions on patient care.
Ms. Cooper emphasized the UK’s commitment to rebuilding Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, including accommodating more evacuees for treatment in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Collaborative efforts with nations like Saudi Arabia and Germany are underway to enhance health support in Gaza and facilitate the restoration of essential medical services.
The UK remains steadfast in its readiness to extend assistance through medical evacuation processes and contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza’s healthcare system.
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