Ali Ismaeel Abbas, the 12-year-old Iraqi who lost both arms and was orphaned in a missile attack, is to be flown to Kuwait for life-saving treatment.
The severely burned boy, whose injuries have come to symbolise the suffering of innocent civilians in the conflict, has been offered specialist care. Doctors fear that if he is not taken from Baghdad to a modern, fully equipped hospital, septicaemia could soon set in.
His plight has prompted fundraising efforts around the world.
Payment for his treatment has been pledged by the Maharani of Jaipur in India. British newspapers have promised help. Yesterday the Kuwaiti government stepped in.
Ahmad al-Shatti, representative for the ministry of health in Kuwait, said: ”We’re expecting him any time.” Ali suffered 60% burns when a missile hit his home in Baghdad during joint American and British air raids. His parents and eight other family members were killed. Only an uncle survived.
He was taken to the Kindi hospital, north Baghdad, and transferred to the Saddam City general hospital. The shortage of drugs and frenzy of looting reinforced the chorus of demands that he be evacuated. American troops were making arrangments for his transfer yesterday.
A 14-year-old Iraqi boy flown to Britain by the RAF on Sunday was in critical condition in Birmingham children’s hospital with severe burns yesterday.
A badly burned six-month-old Iraqi girl from Basra who was brought to Britain with wounded troops was ”stable and improving”, doctors at Alder Hey children’s hospital, Liverpool, said yesterday. – Guardian Unlimited Â