Sixteen Severely Ill Patients from Gaza Arrive in Spain for Critical Medical Care

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed gratitude to Egypt and Spain for their crucial support in facilitating this medical evacuation.

Today, Spain will receive sixteen patients from Gaza with severe medical conditions, including fifteen children aged 3 to 17, through a coordinated evacuation effort led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by various partners. Among them, one child's mother will also receive treatment in Spain. These patients had been receiving care in Egypt after evacuating from Gaza but are now set to continue their treatment at hospitals across Spain.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, expressed gratitude to Egypt and Spain for their crucial support in facilitating this medical evacuation. "These very sick children will be getting the care they need thanks to cooperation between several partners and countries," he said. Dr. Tedros also encouraged other nations with medical capabilities to assist those affected by the ongoing conflict.

The group of patients includes thirteen children with complex injuries, one with a chronic heart condition, and another battling cancer. They have been in Egypt since before May 6, when evacuations became nearly impossible due to the closure of the Rafah crossing. Since then, only 23 people have been evacuated through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Since October 2023, approximately 5,000 people have been evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment, with over 80% receiving care in Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. However, around 10,000 people still need evacuation.

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighted the critical situation, stating, “These children are just the tip of the iceberg. Thousands of people remain in Gaza who need urgent medical evacuation and are at risk of dying without timely access to advanced care.” She emphasized the need for patients to be evacuated to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, or to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan.

The evacuation to Spain was facilitated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and WHO’s coordination, with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund handling documentation and approvals. Spain will provide ongoing support for the patients’ care at various hospitals.

Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, praised Spain’s willingness to accept these patients and called it a model for other countries to follow. “We are truly thankful to Spain for responding so willingly to our request,” Kluge said. “Indeed, ‘to save one child, one life, is to save humankind’ is a concept recognizing the interconnectedness of all humanity.”

WHO continues to advocate for the establishment of multiple medical evacuation corridors to ensure the safe and timely transfer of patients. Dr. Tedros reiterated the organization’s call for an end to the conflict, emphasizing that peace remains the best path to health and stability.

The solidarity of host countries highlights a rare positive development amidst the ongoing crisis, underscoring the essential role of global cooperation in addressing severe humanitarian needs.