Scots hospital to treat Pakistan gas blast orphan

A BABY boy who suffered serious burns in a gas explosion which killed his parents and brother is to be brought to Scotland from Pakistan for treatment, a charity has said.

Funds raised by Positive Action in Housing will help bring gas blast orphan Mohammad Sudais to Scotland from Pakistan. His uncle, a leading member of the Afghan community in Scotland, has petitioned health secretary Alex Neil and MP Margaret Curran for permission to bring the three-month-old to Glasgow. Picture: PA

Positive Action in Housing said that health secretary Alex Neil MSP has written to say that three-month-old Mohammad Sudais can be treated in Scotland.

The Afghan boy suffered third degree burns after a gas explosion in his parents’ home in Peshawar seven weeks ago.

His father, Mohammad Ameen, 30, mother Sumaira, 28, and 13-month-old brother Abdul Haseeb were killed in the explosion.

Doctors in Pakistan said that they can do no more for the little boy and recommended the best place that he can be treated properly is in hospital in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, in the city where his uncle Mohammad Asif lives.

Positive Action in Housing launched an appeal yesterday to raise £15,000 towards the cost of bringing the baby to Scotland and has raised £6906 so far.

Mr Neil said: “We are very happy to treat Mohammad in Scotland and we are working hard with all the relevant agencies, including the UK government, to make sure that happens.”

Mr Asif, general secretary of the Scottish Afghan Society, welcomed the news though he is still waiting for details about when his nephew can come to Scotland.

He said: “I appreciate and welcome the help of the Scottish Government and health secretary.

“The only thing I know is I hope my nephew comes here and he lives, even though his face is no longer the same face. He looks totally different and has infections.

“If he comes here he can be treated properly.

Mr Asif said he was very grateful to the Scottish people for raising funds to bring his nephew to Scotland.

He said: “I would like to say a very big thank you from my family. When my nephew comes he will be living with me and people are already calling him the baby of Scotland.”

Positive Action in Housing said: “We are most grateful to Alex Neill for his swiftness in dealing with this matter in less than a day. We are most grateful also to Margaret Curran MP for her support in helping to speed up travel arrangements for baby Mohammad.”