Posted on 04/26/2024 3:54:25 AM PDT by Tired of Taxes
A one-month-old British boy with a serious heart condition has been airlifted to a hospital in Rome for treatment not available on the NHS.
The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, personally intervened to make sure the child could travel to Italy on a specially equipped military aircraft with medical professionals.
It is understood the infant was being treated for a congenital heart condition at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children when his parents, who have not been identified, were told the specialist treatment would not be possible in the UK.
His father, an Italian citizen, decided to appeal directly to Ms Meloni and her government for assistance who then worked closely with the family to allow their travel.
Following the appeal to Ms Meloni for help, events this week moved at lighting speed and by Tuesday the family were in Rome.
The family were preparing to start a legal battle with the hospital and had planned to apply to the High Court on Monday.
However, a long court battle was avoided after a deal was struck whereby the family would be flown to Rome on an aircraft funded by the Italian government.
The child was then promptly discharged and and taken to an airport ten minutes away. A specially modified ambulance with the family onboard was then loaded onto the plane.
After arriving in Rome on Tuesday the baby was treated at the Vatican-funded Bambino Gesu children's hospital where he underwent a double operation.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
A few thoughts...
On the hospital:
In other cases, Italy offered to transport babies from the UK to the same hospital - Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital - but the UK stopped them. The difference in this case seems to be that the father and the baby are citizens of Italy.
Still, the UK was prepared to halt treatment and let this baby die. One of the articles linked by mewzilla states:
"... the hospital was at the cusp of legal proceedings with the parents over ending treatment but halted before any High Court hearing could take place, in favour of cooperating with the Italian offer."
On the lack of details reported:
Maybe the parents don't want media attention.
On the likelihood of civil disobedience:
The Left is all for euthanasia. They wouldn't have rioted. With that said, the UK might've been concerned about the optics of the story.
But, as you both pointed out, we don't know enough about this case, so we're all guessing.
When I saw this story, I figured the father's Italian citizenship saved this baby. I hope Italy is able to save this baby's life.
But, if the Vatican hospital is unsuccessful, the pro-euthanasia crowd may point to this case as an example of "prolonging the suffering of a child."
It might be worth it just to get an Irish passport :-)
I read there’s no limit on generations for Italian citizenship, but there are other restrictions:
https://www.italiandualcitizenship.net/italian-citizenship-by-descent/
The story goes that, if we meet the requirements, we only need to fill out paperwork and pay a few hundred dollars for dual citizenship USA and Italy.
It’s probably more complicated than that, but it’s easier than the process other people would have to take.
Before March 17, 1861, there were no citizens of Italy as Italy was not a nation before this date. For a jus sanguinis citizenship application to be submitted, the oldest Italian ancestor must have still been alive on or after that date.
So, in the case of my friend, he’s in his 50’s (like I am), his parents are in their 80’s (say, born in 1940’s, like my parents). So, my grandparents were born around 1920, and then my great grandparents were born between 1890 - 1900. So, 4 generations, maybe 5 if kids were every 20 years.
Bottom line PM Meloni is a class act to facilitatethis
100%
All true. Agreed.
But, IF I understand correctly, there’s no limit to generations afterward. So, your friend’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and so on, would be eligible for Italian citizenship, too.
I guess they’d have to apply for it, too, though, correct?
I’d agree - it doesn’t say it expires, so even someone born 100 years, or 1000 years from now, that can trace lineage to Italian citizens, would be able to claim citizenship.
This is one reason why jus sanguinis citizenship is insane.
Imagine 10, 100, 1000 years from now someone born of American citizens claiming citizenship, and voting for Kang instead of Kodos!
You’re right, it is crazy... but I’m all for it!
I have no reason to apply for dual citizenship, but it’s interesting to know that my whole family, and generations to come, might be considered Italian by the government of Italy, and to claim our citizenship, all we’d need to do is fill out some paperwork and pay a relatively small fee.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.