Health ministers touched by tales of Gaza wounded

Riyadh: The broken words of Jameela Al Hayashi, a wounded Palestinian girl brought to Riyadh for treatment, at the opening session of an emergency meeting of Arab health ministers, were more than enough to draw the attention to the pathetic conditions of children in Gaza.

Twenty-two ministers or their representatives from Arab countries listened to the girl, who lost her legs, about the barbaric Israeli attack on her and her family members.

Her sister Jaleela, aged 11, and cousin Isra, aged 13, were killed in the attack. Some ministers broke down while others suppressed their emotions. Jameela explained about the brutal attack that resulted in the amputation of her legs.

"I was playing on the roof of my house together with my brothers, sisters and relatives.

"Suddenly there was an attack ... and I found myself in the hospital. I asked 'what's going on?' and they said I was in a coma and my legs had been amputated," she said.

Luay Sobh, a boy who was blinded, was also among several dozen wounded Palestinians brought to the Kingdom for treatment in various hospitals.

Medical aid

The ministers discussed steps to be taken to despatch urgent medical aid and making available treatment to those injured in the ongoing Israeli carnage.

In a statement issued at the end of the meeting on Tuesday evening, which was chaired by Saudi Minister of Health Dr Hamad Al Manee, they called for the opening the doors of hospitals in Arab countries at all levels to the wounded Palestinians.

After taking stock of the deteriorating health situation in the Gaza Strip, the ministers also urged Arab states, which have the means and capabilities to open field hospitals in the Gaza Strip, to do so at the earliest, in coordination with international health organisations.

Speaking to Gulf News, Dr. Hamad Al Manee said that recommendations of the meeting included the setting up of an emergency committee, comprised of representatives from six states, to undertake the mission of extending emergency treatment for the victims of Israeli aggression in Gaza at any Arab country in future.

"Unlike political issues, health and humanitarian issues do not have any geographical considerations," he said while calling for united efforts in providing proper treatment for all those injured in Gaza.