ABOUT THE BABY MOHAMMAD APPEAL

Thursday 27 February 2014

Updates: https://www.facebook.com/BabyMohammadAppeal

Help make a bright future for 4 month old Afghan orphan Baby Mohammad Sudais. 

Baby Mohammad  lost his entire family in a gas explosion at his parents home in Peshawar, Pakistan on 16 December 2013. It is understood the explosion happened as a result of a gas outage. This is a regular occurrence in regions of Pakistan. When the gas supply was restored, the family's gas heater, which was in the bedroom where they all slept, failed to ignite and gas filled up into the enclosed space  for 2-3 hours.  When Baby Mohammad's mother, Samaira (28) awoke, she was dizzy and did not register the gas smell. She went to reignite the fire. The force from the resultant explosion threw her into the air. She suffered 80-90% third degree burns. Her husband Ameen (36) and son, Abdul Haseeb (13 months) also suffered severe burns. Baby Mohammad's cradle upturned on him during the explosion.  Plastic from his cradle melted in the heat of the blaze and fell onto his face while he lay helpless. He sustained 80% full thickness skin loss to his face.The rest of his body was untouched due to being swaddled. A neighbour rescued the family from the blaze. Baby Mohammad was expected by doctors to die first. But Baby Mohammad's mother, father and 13 month old brother, Abdul Haseeb, subsequently died within days of each other.

The doctors in Pakistan recommended specialist burns treatment at the world renowned Canniesburn Unit In Glasgow.

Baby Mohammad's Uncle, Mohammad Asif, is settled in Glasgow with his family. He  was desperate to bring his orphaned nephew for medical treatment. However, he endured five weeks of delays and inaction.  He contacted Robina Qureshi, DIrector of the migrant and refugee charity, Positive Action. 

Positive Action then fought a relentless 12 day campaign to bring Baby Mohammad to Scotland. Finally, on Thursday 20 January 2014 of the campaign, Baby Mohammad was flown in from Peshawar to Glasgow's Yorkhill Specialist Paediatric Unit. BBC, STV and Radio 4's Todat programme were amongst the press who covered his story. The child now faces years of medical treatment ahead of him. 

Please pass on this appeal to your friends, family and workplace colleagues and anyone else. Organise workplace collections, schools can get schoolchildren involved by collecting money. Ask them to donate. Post it on facebook, and help make a bright future for Baby Mohammad.  

All monies donated will be used solely for Baby Mohammad's present and future medical and welfare needs. 

Alison Hendry, a former nurse and pharmaceuticals professional, and Tom Harrigan MBE, a retired chief inspector from Strathclyde Police, have agreed to be volunteer trustees along with Robina Qureshi and Mohammad Asif. At their first meeting, it was agreed what the purpose of the funds should be. A memory box will also be compiled by Alison Hendry, consisting of cards, newscuttings and photographs for Baby Mohammad as he grows.

 

All Press enquiries: 07581 046 473 or email: home@paih.org

 

Donate: http://www.justgiving.com/MuhammadSudaisBurnsTreatmentGlasgow

 

Updates: https://www.facebook.com/BabyMohammadAppeal/

Below is a diary of Positive Action's initial campaign to bring 3 months old Afghan orphan, Baby Mohammad Sudais, to Glasgow, Scotland from Peshawar, Pakistan for medical treatment. 

Thursday 20 February 2014

-  Mohammad Asif brings his nephew to Glasgow

After a brief press conference, Baby Mohammed was taken to Yorkhill Hospital for an indefinite period. 

Wednesday 19 February 2014

-  Mohammad Asif flies out to Dubai to meet his sister and Baby Mohammad off a flight from Peshawar 

Tickets booked for Baby Mohammad from Peshawar to Dubai, then onwards to Glasgow. We are grateful to the following who helped Baby Mohammad so far on his journey to a full recovery.

Scottish Government, Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil MSP, Mohammad Sarwar (Governor of Punjab), Tom Harrigan MBE, British High Commission, Robert Dunn (Scottish Government International Team), Anas Sarwar MP, Margaret Curran MP, Suzanne Allan (BBC), Sharon Frew (STV).

Tuesday 18 February 2014

-  Pakistan clinician agrees that Baby Mohammad can travel to Scotland Without an air ambulance.

Visa restrictions mean the baby and his aunt must travel by Thursday at the latest. A further hurdle to overcome is the Emirates medical clearance, which must be completed in order for Emirates to consider flying the baby. Emirates clears the child for travel. Airline tickets are put on standby By the Scottish Government.  

Friday 14 February 2014

- Baby Mohammad's visa has been granted by the British high commission in Islamabad. It's over to the Scottish government now. 

 We ask that the Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil MSP now helps us bring Baby Mohammad to Glasgow safely and before the weekend . The clinicians in Glasgow have had several days to look at this. Baby Mohammad's aunt's visa is about to run out and she must return to Glasgow where her own 3 children, aged 5 to 14 years remain. Baby Mohammad is an Afghan, not a Pakistani, and has no other family to take care of him other than his uncle Mohammad Asif and his family in Glasgow. Similarly, the specialist treatment the baby requires is in Glasgow. it's  been a full week since we asked for the child to be brought to Glasgow. The biggest risk to Baby Mohammad's life right now is infection. He urgently needs medical treatment and shouldn't be put through any further unnecessary stress or delays. This child must be brought to Scotland.

Thursday 13 February 2014

- Baby Mohammad's visa application is still with the British high commission in Islamabad, the delay seems to be over guardianship of the child and questions about how long medical treatment will take in Scotland. We are still waiting on clinical advice about a safe transfer from Pakistan to Islamabad

We expect the Visitors Visa for Baby Mohammad to be ready tomorrow Friday. Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil MSP's officials are still liaising with clinicians in Glasgow and Peshawar about the safest way of transferring him to Glasgow. Mohammad's family are desperate to get Baby Mohammad Sudais under proper medical supervision in Glasgow immediately. Baby Mohammad's aunt is taking care of him in Pakistan. However, her visa is about to run out and she will have to return to Glasgow where her own 3 children, aged 5 to 14 years remain. Baby Mohammad is an Afghan, not a Pakistani, and has no other family to take care of him other than his uncle Mohammad Asif and his family in Glasgow. Similarly, the specialist treatment the baby requires is not available to him in Pakistan. There is therefore a credible clinical case for Baby Mohammad to come to the UK for further treatment not available in Pakistan. Robina Qureshi, human rights campaigner , said: "it's  been a full week since we asked for the child to be brought to Glasgow. We understand there are processes to be gone through. However, we do feel this urgent humanitarian issue should be concluded immediately. As we have repeatedly said, the biggest risk to Baby Mohammad's life right now is infection. He has been through a triple tragedy with the deaths of his parents and brother. He has no one else to take care of him in Pakistan or Afghanistan. He urgently needs medical treatment and shouldn't be put through any further unnecessary stress or delays. This child must be brought to Scotland." ENDS

Wednesday 12 February 2014

- Baby Mohammad's visa application is with the British Embassy in Islamabad, still waiting on clinical advice about a safe transfer from Pakistan to Islamabad

We expect the Visa to travel to be done by 9 am GMT tomorrow Thursday 13 February. Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil MSP's officials are liaising with clinicians in Glasgow and Peshawar about the safest way of transferring him to Glasgow. We hope to know by Thursday or Friday  how that is best done. Mohammad's family are desperate to get him under proper medical supervision in Glasgow immediately.

Tuesday 10 February 2014

- Submitting the Baby's visa application to the British Embassy in Islamabad and working out a safe transfer for Baby Mohammad

The Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil MSP has confirmed that clinicians in Glasgow and Peshawar are trying to agree the current condition of Baby Mohammad and the safest way of transferring him to Glasgow. We hope to know by Tuesday or Wednesday how that is best done. Mohammad's family are desperate to get him under proper medical supervision in Glasgow as soon as possible as they are worried about the risk of infection.

We await word from the Scottish health minister over the next 24 hours.

Monday 10 February 2014

Travel arrangements for Baby Mohammad to come to Glasgow

Almost £10,000 has now been raised in just 3 days for the Baby Mohammad Appeal. The Appeal is grateful to the Scottish Government, and particularly Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil MSP for agreeing to provide treatment in Scotland so quickly. Baby Mohammad needs to be brought to Glasgow immediately to begin medical treatment. He sustained full thickness skin loss of almost the whole of his face. Rudimentary skin grafts are not completely successful. His current conditions in Peshawar are clean but not sterile and there is a risk of infection.

The logistics of transporting the baby are being looked at.

The child's passport and guardianship papers will be ready today, Monday 10 February. With the paperwork in place, Baby Mohammad could be in Glasgow within 24 hours.

However, a commercial long haul flight is neither practical or safe for such a sick baby. We therefore need the Scottish Government's assistance with a medical flight, air ambulance or similar.

If the Scottish Government brings the child from Pakistan by air ambulance or by a medical or m military flight with medical facilities, then there is nothing to prevent the child being in Glasgow's Yorkhill Hospital by this time tomorrow (Tuesday). 

All our energies today are focused  on completing the paperwork to allow Baby Mohammad immediate travel. Where there's a political will, as the Scottish government has now promised, there is a way to get Baby  Mohammad into Glasgow within the next 24 hours. Scottish Government officials have assured us they will be in touch this morning. We are just waiting for the call."

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FRIDAY 7 February 2014

Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil MSP has agreed that Baby Mohammad can be treated in Scotland.  

STV News link about Baby Mohammad Appeal: http://m.stv.tv/news/glasgow/263312-baby-burned-in-pakistan-gas-explosion-to-be-treated-in-scotland/

We are sincerely grateful to Alex Neill MSP, Scottish Health Secretary for his commitment to ensure Baby Mohammad will be treated in Scotland.  Also to Margaret Curran MP for her support in providing documentation to the British High Commission in Islamabad. Mohammad Sarwar, Punjab Governor in Pakistan has also assured us of his full cooperation to ensure the child can leave Pakistan safely and we appreciate his support.

Travel and Medical logistics now need to be sorted out urgently with all the relevant agencies, including the UK Government.

Positive Action in Housing was asked to intervene in this case yesterday (Thursday) because the child's family members could not get proper help from anywhere else. In less than 24 hours, the collective  action of our 27,800 supporters resulted in public awareness, funds and political commitment to this child's tragic case. 

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UPDATE: Thursday 6 February 2014  22:35 HRS

Baby Mohammad's tragic story is receiving press interest.

We urge the Scottish Government's Health Secretary Alex Neil MSP to ensure that Baby Mohammad can start medical treatment next week as plans for his travel to Glasgow are finalised.

1. Please write to Alex Neil MSP Scottish Health Secretary alex.neil.msp@scottish.parliament.uk and ask him to help Baby Mohammad to receive medical treatment in Glasgow. 

2. Please write to Margaret Curran MP margaret.curran.mp@parliament.uk and ask her to write to the British Embassy in Pakistan informing them that this child needs to be allowed to travel as quickly as possible on  compassionate and humanitarian grounds. 

Please use your own words when writing emails And copy all correspondence to home@paih.org

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Thursday 6 February 2014 4.00 pm

This is an URGENT appeal to help make a bright future for 3 months old Baby Mohammad Sudais. 

Mohammad has sustained third degree burns to his face after a gas explosion in his parents home in Peshawar, Pakistan. His mother, father and 13 months old brother, Abdul Haseeb, all died .

The doctors in Pakistan have recommended specialist burns treatment at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary’s world renowned Canniesburn Unit. His eyesight is at risk because of constriction around the eyes. The longer this is left, the longer Mohammed is in pain and his prospects of some degree of recovery grow less.

Baby Mohammad's only relative in Glasgow is Mohammad Asif, General Secretary of the Scottish Afghan Society. Asif is settled in Glasgow with his family and is desperate to bring his orphaned nephew for treatment. 

Please help make a bright future for Baby Mohammad.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 Thank you for taking the time to read this appeal.

 Robina Qureshi, Director

Positive Action in Housing Ltd (SC027577)