This afternoon, a medicalized A400M airplane will depart from the Torrejón de Ardoz air base, carrying a team from the Medical Evacuation Unit of the Air and Space Force (UMAER) to Cairo. The mission aims to bring 16 Palestinian minors, who have been injured or are suffering from serious health issues due to the Israeli offensive in Gaza, back to Spain for medical treatment.
On board the aircraft, which belongs to the 31st Wing in Zaragoza, there will be a team of 19 professionals, including doctors, nurses, and health technicians from UMAER. This operation marks the first evacuation of Gaza residents conducted by a European government to provide medical care.
The Spanish Ministry of Defense stated that to facilitate the evacuation, 16 stretchers have been prepared, one of which is equipped for critical care, to address any emergencies that may arise during the flight. Additionally, the team is carrying a range of pediatric and adult medications, both oral and intravenous, along with sufficient oxygen supplies, ventilators, monitors, and infusion pumps for administering various treatments. They also have extra immobilization materials to assist with trauma injuries, which are common among the wounded.
The arrival of the 16 minors, accompanied by 27 immediate family members, is expected at the air base on Wednesday. After their arrival, they will be transferred to hospitals in regions including the Basque Country, Asturias, Navarra, and Castilla-La Mancha, as well as the Gómez Ulla Hospital in Madrid, which is under the Ministry of Defense. This effort is coordinated by the Ministry of Health.
The family members accompanying the minors will be supported and housed by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration in collaboration with the NGO Accem, which will provide accommodation in various centers across the aforementioned regions.
The Ministry of Defense emphasized that this evacuation operation aligns with a commitment made by the Ministry of Health to the World Health Organization (WHO). This collaboration also involves the Ministries of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and Interior.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/espana/agencias/2024/07/23/defensa-envia-un-avion-y-un-equipo-medico-de-19-personas-para-traer-a-espana-a-16-ninos-gazaties/
