As a doctor, I cannot begin to imagine the pressure on hospital staff to tell parents over the phone that their children have died. That’s why I have urged Jeremy Hunt to bring pressure where it is needed
Rosena Allin-Khan
@DrRosena
The Independent Voices
I have recently returned from a medical trip to the Palestinian occupied territories where I met children undergoing treatment completely alone.
That is why, this week I have written to foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, requesting that international pressure be placed on the Israeli authorities to overhaul the permit system, which is affecting the most vulnerable patients.
During my visit to the neo-natal unit at Makassad Hospital, I met the sole survivor of premature triplets who were born at 26 weeks – doctors had to tell her parents over the phone that both her siblings had died, as her mother had to return to Gaza days after giving birth.
This particular baby had been ready to go home since March, yet it was only last week that her mother was issued a permit and was able to collect her and take her home.
As a doctor, I cannot begin to imagine the pressure on hospital staff to tell parents over the phone that their children have died. As a mother, I cannot imagine how it must feel to be separated from your baby for five months.
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Categories: The Muslim Times