A health care provider who led a medical group that took 21 Ukrainian kids with most cancers to the U.Okay. for therapy after they fled the Russian invasion of their nation has spoken of their sense of reduction.

Dr. Michael Griksaitis, advisor pediatrician in intensive care at College Hospital Southampton, advised U.Okay. broadcaster Sky Information: "Once they acquired on that aircraft, they have been scared, they have been afraid. Because the aircraft took off, you virtually noticed a way of reduction that these households knew that their kids have been going to get therapy and that they'd an opportunity of surviving their most cancers.

"And truly on touchdown, kids that originally would not make eye contact and have been terrified have been high-fiving, taking part in, smiling."

Griksaitis stated: "We have been simply privileged and honored to have the ability to assist get them in another country and get them to England and the U.Okay. the place we might present ongoing assist for them as a result of with out this ongoing care they might die."

Sky Information reported that the kids vary in age from infants to youngsters, with some stated to be critically sick.

The pediatrician was a part of an operation that was a collaboration between the U.Okay.'s Nationwide Well being Service (NHS) and Polish authorities and clinicians.

Griksaitis continued: "A few of the tales of what these kids had been by—I am unable to even start to think about. To have that by itself is dangerous sufficient for anybody—however to have that while having therapy for most cancers, it was simply astronomical."

The operation comes as a part of a response by the U.Okay. to a name for assist from Poland as kids have been arriving there from Ukraine.

The non-profit American pediatric illness specialists, St. Jude Kids's Analysis Hospital, helped the U.Okay. prepare an pressing flight for the kids and their instant households from Poland.

The youngsters will now be assessed to allow medical doctors to grasp their particular well being wants. From there they are going to be despatched to particular hospitals greatest outfitted to handle these wants the place they are going to be handled by the NHS totally free.

U.Okay. Prime Minister, Boris Johnston, stated in a press release: "The sickening struggling of harmless civilians in Ukraine is really horrific. This important lifesaving medical care is one other vital step in our assist for the individuals of Ukraine and their resistance towards Putin's unlawful invasion.

"I'm vastly grateful to our unbelievable NHS workers in addition to our companions, together with our Polish pals, for his or her assist in bringing these kids to the U.Okay. and we are going to proceed to do all we will to assist them as they proceed their crucial therapy right here."

Ukrainian refugees
A mom, unrelated to the kids with most cancers, stands along with her daughter in a short lived shelter for Ukrainian refugees in a college in Przemysl, close to the Ukrainian-Polish border on March 14, 2022. Dr. Michael Griksaitis led a group to carry 21 kids affected by most cancers to the U.Okay. for therapy. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/GETTY