Egyptian boy travels alone to Italy to 'save' his sick young brother

 

 

Ahmed Mahmoud, a thirteen-year-old boy, has travelled alone from his hometown in Egypt to seek medical treatment for his little brother who suffers from the blood disorder thrombocytopenia.

 

Ahmed’s journey started on board the boat of a people smuggler in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria.

 

He eventually arrived in the Italian city of Florence carrying medical documents describing his brother’s medical condition.

 

The quality and availability of healthcare in Egypt has been described as patchy.

 

When he arrived in Italy, the young boy told a police officer on the Italian island of Lampedusa that he wanted his younger brother to survive.

 

The officer, Maria Volpe, explained why she took Ahmed from Lampedusa to Porto Empedocle.

 

“To see a 13-year-old boy who risks his life, crossed the sea and comes in Italy only to ask for help to save his brother is a new story, among so many human cases. He said: ‘I`m here because I want to help, I want to save him and continue to play with him.”

 

The Italian government have decided to admit Ahmed’s family and treat his brother at no cost to them.

 

Authorities in Egypt meanwhile have urged the family to seek treatment there.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-08-21

' The Italian government have decided to admit Ahmed’s family and treat his brother at no cost to them. '

 

 

Folly, it will only lead to more dong the same.

Hey, we got a great health service in England paid for by tax-payers. Come one, come all you lovely sick people. Mrs Merkel, where are you? Open the flood gates, let 'em all in, you know it makes sense.

 

 

 

It's been a long-running part in the nature of the press to report human interest stories wherever they can find them. It's a break from the usual news of conflict, hostility, politicians, budgets, war, disputes etc.

 

There is no need to bend this report to suit someone's politics, nor is there a basis to criticise anyone involved in the remarkable event. It's a newsworthy story about a kid on a mission to include some of the people who met him on his journey and who felt fit to assist him.

 

Grumps and whingers will show up anywhere for any reason. Good on the media and the website to report this and good on the government of Italy. It's a welcome and refreshing event and report.