DUP hit out at ‘virtue signalling’ over calls to treat children from Gaza in NI

A party spokesperson said that pressures on the NHS cannot be ignored

The DUP has hit out at calls to bring “as many children as possible” from Gaza to Northern Ireland for treatment following reports that the UK Government is preparing to evacuate up to 300 young people requiring urgent medical care from the war zone to the UK for treatment.

Some children have already been brought to the UK privately by Project Pure Hope, an initiative led by a coalition of UK healthcare leaders and humanitarians. However, it is understood that the Government have yet to evacuate any children through their own scheme.

According to the UN, more than 50,000 children have been killed or injured since the war in Gaza began in October 2023.

Earlier this week, First Minister Michelle O’Neill advocated for taking “as many people as we can” and said that she has had discussions with the Health Minister on the issue.

However, the DUP said that the current pressures on the Health Service in Northern Ireland cannot be ignored.

A DUP Spokesperson said: “This is a proposal put forward by the United Kingdom Government, and we have not yet received details of either clinical capacity or plans for the processing and accommodation of adults who would travel alongside those receiving treatment.

“Current pressures on the Health Service cannot be ignored, including children unable to access cancer treatment due to staffing shortages. Such pressures highlight that virtue signalling rather than a real desire to help people lies behind calls to bring “as many as possible” to Northern Ireland for treatment.”

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