Burns baby set to return home to Iraq

A baby who suffered terrible burns in the Iraqi city of Basra and was flown to Britain for life-saving treatment is to return home next week, her father said today.

Mariam Ailan was aged just six months when she arrived at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool on March 31 following a 3,000 mile journey with her distraught parents Ailan Thameed and Hadia Zeboon.

It is believed Mariam was badly burned in an accident at her home involving a paraffin cooking stove, an incident not connected with the war. The severe burns were to her face and body.

Mr Thameed, who today paid tribute to staff at Alder Hey, took her to a British Army food handout post and pleaded with troops to help his daughter.

Mariam was given medication and flown to Britain, via Cyprus, on humanitarian grounds on a plane taking home military casualties.

A spokeswoman for Alder Hey said staff were “delighted” at Mariam’s recovery.

Mr Thameed said: “We are very grateful to everyone who has been involved in treating our daughter. The British troops who treated her in Iraq and Kuwait, those who flew us to Liverpool and those at the parent accommodation at the hospital have all be wonderful.

“We could not have hoped for better treatment throughout this whole process, however we are really pleased to be going home.

“We want to get home to see the rest of our families and to get back to our normal life.

“Mariam will continue to receive treatment at home and is expected to make a full recovery.

“We would like to give our thanks once again to everyone who sent us good wishes and gifts. We are very grateful for all the support we have received while we have been in England.”

The family is expected to fly back to southern Iraq with British troops next week.

At the time of the accident, the Ministry of Defence said the baby would be flown to the UK if a seat was available on a flight.

An MoD spokesman said: “It is not our policy to bring civilians into the UK for treatment. However Mariam was seen as an exceptional case.”