HC Deb 22 May 2003 vol 405 c975W
Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent discussion he has had with the Ministry of Health in Kuwait concerning the treatment of Ali Ismaael Abbas and other Iraqi children in the Ibn Sina Hospital in Kuwait. [115449]

Hilary Benn

DFID has not had any discussions with the Ministry of Health in Kuwait concerning the treatment of Iraqi children in hospitals in Kuwait.

DFID's priority is to work with our partners to help improve health care for all Iraqis who need it. The UN, Red Cross/ Red Crescent, Save the Children Fund, Merlin and International Medical Corps have all received DFID funding for this work.

We agree with the International Committee of the Red Cross the priority is to ensure that the Iraqi medical service is able to treat Iraqis, rather than have the war-wounded flown out of Iraq. If in exceptionally grave situations, children are taken abroad for treatment, they should be cared for in neighbouring countries where possible.

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