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UK to care for girl shot by Taliban

09:05, Oct 15 2012

 

A Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen for speaking out about suffering under the regime is being brought to the UK for treatment.

Malala Yousafzai, 14, will receive specialist medical care in an NHS hospital after she was shot on a bus in front of her friends in a "barbaric attack" last Tuesday, Foreign Secretary William Hague said.

The teenager's life was saved by neurosurgeons in a Pakistani military hospital and she has since been in intensive care.

But doctors decided she needed "prolonged care" to help her recover from the physical and psychological effects of the attack.

Mr Hague said: "Last week's barbaric attack on Malala Yousafzai and her schoolfriends shocked Pakistan and the world. Malala's bravery in standing up for the right of all young girls in Pakistan to an education is an example to us all. Malala will now receive specialist medical care in an NHS hospital. Our thoughts remain with Malala and her family at this difficult time.

"The public revulsion and condemnation of this cowardly attack shows that the people of Pakistan will not be beaten by terrorists. The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism."

Malala was shot with two classmates as they made their way home from school in Swat, in the north west of Pakistan. She was attacked by the Taliban for promoting the education if girls and criticising the militant group.

The teenager is being transferred to the UK for treatment by an air ambulance arranged by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Pakistani army said.

In a statement it said: "The panel of doctors recommended that Malala be shifted abroad to a UK centre which has the capability to provide integrated care to children who have sustained severe injury.

"Pakistan has arranged with the UAE for a specially equipped air ambulance which will be used to transfer Malala to the UK. In order to provide continuity of care, an army intensive care specialist will accompany Malala on her flight. All expenses including transportation of Malala by specially equipped air ambulance and treatment abroad will be borne by the government of Pakistan."

 

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