CAIRO-Seven-day-old Palestinian baby boy Serag Ala Abujaraad, suffering from heart disorder known as Blue Baby Syndrome, had been transferred to Istanbul on June 12 in co-ordination with Palestinian, Egyptian and Turkish Red Crescent societies and NGOs for treatment in Turkey. After repeated surgical interventions at Medical Park Hospital under the patronage of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, several ministers and NGOs, baby Serag survived the critical period and regained his health. The Palestinian boy accompanied by his parents was flown back to Egypt on August 19 for onwards transfer to Gaza under the custody of Turkish Embassy in Cairo. The family spent the night in Cairo and was escorted to Rafah Crossing On. Egyptian Foreign Ministry and other authorities concerned were prompt in facilitating the reception of the Palestinian family at Cairo Airport and their transfer to Gaza through the border Rafah Crossing, which is open for humanitarian use under a special decree issued by President Hosni Mubarak. In a brief interview with the press while receiving the Palestinian baby, Turkish Ambassador in Cairo Huseyin Avni Botsali said: “Every Palestinian baby, and actually all the children of the world deserve a prosperous future where they can receive adequate health and education in the safety and tender embrace of their parents and communities.” The Turkish diplomat further underlined that: “Baby Serag not only symbolised the plight of the children of Gaza; but his salvation could also set a positive precedent cultivating seeds of hope in the hearts and minds of Palestinians and all peace-loving nations of the world which is much needed at this critical juncture of the Middle East peace process.”
