Ops Ihsan to manage welfare of Palestinians treated in Malaysia

 

Defence ministry secretary-general Lokman Hakim Ali meeting some of the Palestinians at today’s event. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Non-governmental organisation Ops Ihsan has been tasked with managing the welfare of a group of more than 120 Palestinians, brought to Malaysia for medical treatment in August.

Ops Ihsan was given the responsibility due to its experience in managing migrant affairs in the country.

Defence ministry secretary-general Lokman Hakim Ali said in Kuala Lumpur that the group comprised 41 patients who had completed their treatment at the Armed Forces Hospital from Aug 16 to Nov 16, while 87 were their family members.

This includes a baby born on Oct 31, Bernama reported.

The group stayed at Wisma Transit in Kuala Lumpur during the treatment period, Lokman said.

He said the defence ministry is working with Ops Ihsan to ensure proper care and assistance for the Palestinians as they transition out of Wisma Transit, with the support of the Palestinian and Egyptian embassies.

“Today marks the official handover of the 128 Palestinians who have received treatment in Malaysia, and they will continue their lives outside Wisma Transit with the help of Ops Ihsan.

“For those wishing to return to Egypt, efforts are being made to arrange their documents and travel with the Egyptian embassy in Malaysia,” he was quoted as telling reporters after the event.

Present were Malaysian armed forces chief of staff Lt Gen Arman Rumaizi Ahmad, Egyptian ambassador to Malaysia Ragai Tawfik Said Nasr, Palestinian embassy representative Yusof Al Madhon and Ops Ihsan chairman Jismi Azhari Johari.

The defence ministry, in a statement, said that during the treatment period, the 41 Palestinian patients received various medical care in fields such as orthopaedics, paediatrics, and obstetrics and gynaecology.

“The handover to Ops Ihsan is to improve post-treatment care to ensure the Palestinians can lead a more practical life, assimilate and adapt to the local culture,” it said.

Ops Ihsan, mobilised by organisations such as the Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief, Global Peace Mission Malaysia, Mercy Malaysia, and others, serves as the primary coordinator, alongside 50 other NGOs.

On Aug 4, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced at the Palestinian Solidarity Rally in Bukit Jalil that Malaysia would bring injured Palestinians into the country for medical treatment.

Two Royal Malaysian Air Force Airbus A-400M aircraft then transported the Palestinian civilians from Egypt to the Subang air base on Aug 16. - FMT