Cancer patients evacuated from Gaza arrive for treatment in Ankara

Two planes belonging to Türkiye, departing from El Arish Airport in Egypt and carrying cancer patients and their companions evacuated from Gaza, landed at Ankara Esenboğa Airport. Throughout the journey, the health condition of the patients was monitored by a team of 9 expert healthcare personnel from Turkey. The 27 patients were transported by ambulances to Bilkent City Hospital to begin their treatments. After intensive meetings in Egypt regarding health aid to Gaza, as well as the transfer of patients and the injured to Turkey, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca returned to Ankara from Egypt today with some patients. It was observed that Minister Koca closely attended to the patients boarding the ambulance. In a statement to journalists at Esenboğa Airport, Koca explained that, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish government, in full coordination with all its units, has been striving to be alongside the people of Gaza since the humanitarian tragedy that began on October 7, attempting to alleviate their suffering. He stated that these efforts would continue with determination. Koca mentioned that, from the first day of the process, they held numerous meetings with high-level executives of the World Health Organization, health ministers of Egypt, Israel, and Jordan. He explained that on October 22, the Ministry of Health urgently sent a team of 20 people to the region to conduct feasibility studies in Egypt and Gaza. Furthermore, Minister Koca stated that Turkey had sent 10 cargo planes, a ship, fully equipped field hospitals, 20 ambulances, crucial ventilators, incubators, generators, as well as 666 tons of aid containing medications, medical supplies, and devices to Egypt to be used for the needs of the people in Gaza. 'We formed a health coordination team to bring patients to our country.' Fahrettin Koca, who reported meeting with both the health ministers of Israel and Egypt last week, continued: 'Due to the unavailability of the Gaza Turkish Friendship Hospital after the Israeli attacks, we formed a health coordination team consisting of technical teams to bring patients, especially cancer patients who are completely deprived of treatment facilities, to our country. On November 14, I had a video conference with the Minister of Health of Egypt. As a result of the intensive efforts of the health coordination team we had previously formed, we reached an agreement on the passage of cancer patients in Gaza to Egypt through the Rafah Border Crossing. In the early hours of the day, after departing from Türkiue, I had a bilateral meeting with my esteemed colleague, Mr. Gaffar, in the capital, Cairo. We visited two different hospitals, including one for children, where Gazan patients were receiving treatment. In the afternoon, near the Rafah Border Crossing, we visited a hospital in the city of El Arish, extending our get-well wishes to our Gazan brothers. As a result of international health diplomacy and the efforts we have conducted in the field, we believe that we have taken a significant step by bringing 27 patients and 13 companions to Trükiye with aircraft belonging to the Presidency and the Ministry of National Defense.'