21 Ukrainian children with cancer have been flown to the UK to continue their treatment, the health secretary announced Monday. The children and their immediate families arrived in the country on Sunday after an SOS call from Polish officials.
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Disruption in treatment
The children will be assessed by doctors before being sent to NHS hospitals across the country to resume their treatment. Nine medics from Southampton Children’s hospital flew to Poland to fetch the children and their families. The entourage from the hospital reported that:
The families were so incredibly grateful and the stories they told were horrific.
Hundreds of Ukrainians have reportedly seen their treatment interrupted by the war, as Russian forces lay siege to cities and hospitals' supplies dry up.
Children, whose treatments had been discontinued, have been evacuated to Poland where officials appealed for help in caring for them.
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‘Best possible care’
According to the BBC, a paediatric oncologist based in Poland told of how most of the children arriving at her hospital were in critical condition. Announcing the arrival of the 21 children, Health Secretary, Sajid Javid said:
I am proud that the UK is offering life-saving medical care to these Ukrainian children, who have been forced out of their home country by the Russian invasion while undergoing medical treatment. I know that the incredible staff in the NHS will ensure they get the best possible care.
Mr Javid disclosed to the BBC that the UK government has already sent more than 650,000 medical items to Ukraine, including wound care packs, equipment for intensive care and vital medicines.
He said an eighth flight took off on Monday with more supplies as part of the UK’s response to the humanitarian crisis brought on by Russia’s invasion.
The government is expected to soon announce details of a scheme to allow people in the UK to welcome Ukrainian refugees into their home.
