McGuigan pushes Gaza treatment plan; Kyle accuses First Minister of ignoring local needs

(L-R) Sinn Féin’s MLA for North Antrim Philip McGuigan, and TUV’s party chairman Allister Kyle

Sinn Féin’s Philip McGuigan has urged Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to support a UK-wide initiative to evacuate and treat seriously ill and injured children from Gaza, following reports that the British government is planning to bring up to 300 young patients to the UK for urgent medical care.

The North Antrim MLA and Sinn Féin health spokesperson said the Health Minister must ensure Northern Ireland plays its part in offering care to vulnerable children affected by what he called Israel’s “genocidal campaign.”

“The level of human suffering in Gaza, particularly among children, is appalling and intolerable,” Mr McGuigan said.

“I’ve written to Minister Nesbitt to ask what involvement his department has had in this initiative, and urged him to do everything possible to support these young people who are in such desperate need of assistance.”

He added:

“Israel’s systematic targeting of hospitals and other critical services, and its continued blockade, is causing devastation to an already beleaguered population. The Health Minister must now back this scheme and ensure every effort is made to provide healthcare to the sick and injured children of Gaza.”

The appeal comes after the UK Government confirmed over the weekend that its evacuation plans were being carried out “at pace,” with reports suggesting around 300 children may be brought to the UK. Northern Ireland is expected to take a small proportion of that number.

First Minister voices support

Sinn Féin leader and First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she had spoken with Minister Nesbitt and expressed her desire to welcome as many children and families from Gaza as possible for medical care.

“The situation in the Palestinian territory is the biggest humanitarian crisis of our time,” she told Cool FM News.

“I would like to think there is support in the Executive for such a move.”

The Department of Health has since confirmed it is in discussions with other devolved governments and Whitehall on the matter, saying:

“The Department is engaging with the UK government and the other devolved administrations on the possibility of providing medical treatment in the UK for children from Gaza. Discussions are ongoing regarding the possibility of accepting a small number of children.”

TUV: ‘Virtue-signalling agenda’

The proposal has sparked sharp criticism from the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), with party chairman Allister Kyle accusing Michelle O’Neill of prioritising political optics over the needs of Northern Ireland’s struggling health system.

“Throughout the summer, TUV has heard from people who have paid into the NHS through their taxes all their lives who ended up being treated in corridors for days,” Mr Kyle said.

“Yet in pursuit of her virtue-signalling agenda, Michelle O’Neill thinks our health system should accommodate patients from 3,000 miles away.”

He continued:

“The number of people on waiting lists has grown year on year, and still she focuses on matters far removed from her responsibilities.

“We need leadership rooted in reality — not Republican PR.”

Mr Kyle also invoked the memory of the 1972 Claudy bombing, referencing Ms O’Neill’s past comments on the IRA, and accused her of hypocrisy for championing humanitarian causes abroad while failing to address pressing issues at home.

Ongoing political and ethical debate

The debate over Northern Ireland’s potential role in the UK-wide Gaza evacuation plan has exposed a political fault line, with humanitarian urgency clashing with deep frustrations over the condition of the local health system.

As talks between the Department of Health and UK authorities continue, pressure is mounting on Minister Nesbitt to clarify Northern Ireland’s position.