Second group of children evacuated from Gaza for healthcare treatment in Ireland

A second group of children has been evacuated from Gaza to Ireland

The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, and Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, confirmed the news.

Government approval was secured in September 2024 for Ireland to evacuate a number of sick children from Gaza for treatment and care.

The move comes following an appeal from the WHO to address the current health needs of people from Gaza.

Doctors from Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) worked with the World Health Organisation to identify sick and injured children who would benefit from treatment in Ireland.

Four children arrived in Dublin on Monday evening, accompanied by immediate family members.

The group travelled from Egypt on a plane provided by the Norwegian Government for the medical evacuation.

They were accompanied by two doctors and two nurses from CHI, three Irish Red Cross case workers, and a translator.

The group was welcomed to Ireland by Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Ambassador of Egypt, Mohamed Sarwat Selim, and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the State of Palestine, Mr. Baker M.B. Hijazi.

The group is being settled into their accommodation and will have a full medical assessment over the coming week. 

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, said:

"I’m pleased that the second medical evacuation of Palestinian children and their carers/guardians to Ireland has now happened.

"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, the Egyptian government, WHO, the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism, and the government of Norway, the officials across government departments, and all who have been involved in this successful operation.

“There is no justification for the deliberate attacks on civilians and healthcare services in Gaza."

She continued, "The loss of life has been devastating."

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill stressed, "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.

"I wish these children well in their time ahead here in Ireland."

It is estimated that Ireland will receive up to 30 paediatric patients in total from Gaza. 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.

Under this initiative, the children and their families are housed in accommodation managed by the Irish Red Cross

The care package being provided includes caseworker and translation services to ensure that the patients and their carers are well looked after and have assistance in accessing all services as needed.

The HSE will also provide appropriate psycho-social assessment for both patients and carers.

All patients and carers received health screenings prior to travel. The Department of Justice has coordinated visa requirements for the children and their carers, and families.

The Department of Social Protection is also involved in access to welfare and other supports.