4 Palestinian children from Gaza in need of cancer treatment have arrived in Belgium. The patients were selected by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and are part of a larger group being helped by several European countries.
The children first arrived in Egypt that asked the WHO for assistance. Belgium responded positively via B-FAST, the Belgian government overseas emergency aid agency. The young patients will be treated in Belgian hospitals.
The European Civil Protection Mechanism is coordinating the evacuation: Slovakia is in charge of transporting the patients. B-FAST has sent 2 staff from the federal health and foreign ministries to Egypt to manage the operation.
Besides the 4 children now transferred to Belgium, 6 other young patients will eventually travel from Gaza to be treated here.
In the Gaza Strip, the healthcare system has virtually collapsed due to ongoing attacks by the Israeli defense force, which has also bombed hospitals.
Long wait, but now time for proper care
Gerlant van Berlaer, a paediatric and emergency doctor, who helped with the operation, is happy that the four children are finally in Belgium. ‘Reviewing their medical records, studying their diplomatic records and analysing the passports of the attendants: unfortunately, that takes a very long time.’
Now, though, the children can quickly get to the right place in Belgium. ‘That's why we also let them come to our country. We have examined how our healthcare can benefit the future of these children. They have quite complicated conditions, but we can definitely help.’
So how is the decision taken on who will and will not be helped? ‘That is a difficult process. The right treatment needs to be available here, but the children may not encroach on the places of Belgian children. It is unfortunate that we cannot accept everyone, but that’s the way it is. Fortunately, other countries are also helping,’ Dr Van Berlaer stresses.