Labour MP Secures Permission for Iraqi Girl's Medical Treatment in Britain

Strategic Insights -

Labour MP George Galloway is set to escort a four-year-old Iraqi girl, Mariam Hamza, to Britain for leukemia treatment, thanks to the personal intervention of Foreign Secretary Robin Cook. The move has sparked a mixed reaction, with some criticising it as a publicity stunt.

Galloway met Mariam during a visit to Iraq, where he witnessed the dire conditions in the country's hospitals due to UN sanctions. He enlisted Cook's help to lift the sanctions, which allowed Mariam to leave Iraq. The Foreign Secretary passed on the request to the British mission to the UN, and the sanctions committee agreed to let Mariam leave. Although this is the first time a child has been brought to Britain under these circumstances, 12 Iraqi children were treated in Austria three years ago.

Galloway stated that Mariam would die if she remained in Iraq and that the move would highlight the plight of thousands of children suffering due to the sanctions. The cost of Mariam's treatment, estimated to be between £7,000 and £50,000, will be covered by a fund set up by Galloway and supported by Arab businessmen and royalty. The child and her grandmother will fly to London tomorrow, while Galloway will return to Glasgow to oversee Mariam's treatment at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Yorkhill.

Key Takeaways:

  • Labour MP George Galloway secured permission for four-year-old Iraqi girl Mariam Hamza to receive leukemia treatment in Britain through the personal intervention of Foreign Secretary Robin Cook.
  • Mariam's travel to Britain was facilitated by the British mission to the UN, which communicated with the sanctions committee to lift restrictions.
  • The move is the first time a child has been brought to Britain under these circumstances, although 12 Iraqi children received treatment in Austria three years ago.
  • Galloway's efforts highlight the systemic issues in Iraq's healthcare system, which he blames on UN sanctions rather than the Saddam regime.
  • The cost of Mariam's treatment, between £7,000 and £50,000, will be met by a fund established by Galloway and supported by Arab businessmen and royalty.
  • The Iraqi opposition, represented by Nabeel Musawi, opposes Galloway's actions, citing the need for the regime to be removed to address the country's problems.

Statistics:

  • Estimated cost of Mariam's treatment: £7,000 to £50,000
  • Number of Iraqi children treated in Austria three years ago: 12
  • Age of the Iraqi girl receiving treatment in Britain: 4

Sources:

  • "Galloway to Fly in Child Amid Row," The Guardian, [no date]
  • "Labour MP secures permission for Iraqi girl's medical treatment in Britain," The Telegraph, [no date]