Emergency Repatriation of Italian Girl from Thailand After Brain Tumor Surgery

A military aircraft from the Italian Air Force, coming from Thailand, landed yesterday (April 1st) at Ciampino Airport, bringing back to Rome an Italian girl who had undergone emergency surgery in Phuket in the past few days, following a sudden illness during her outbound flight that allowed doctors to diagnose a brain tumor. The return was announced by the Farnesina in a statement. The repatriation operation, requested by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, was necessary given the delicate condition of the girl following the surgery. Minister Tajani, in agreement with the Presidency of the Council, facilitated the intervention of the Italian Air Force with a dedicated flight, necessary to ensure the shortest and least invasive transfer possible, in light of the delicate clinical picture and the very young age of the patient. From the beginning of this delicate situation, the Italian Embassy in Bangkok, in close coordination with the Unit for the Protection of Italians Abroad of the Farnesina, provided the utmost assistance to the national and her family, maintaining close contacts with the relatives and the Italian hospital, but above all, making the local hospital authorities aware of the importance of the case and the need for a rapid health repatriation. Upon return, the girl was immediately hospitalized in a Clinical facility in the Capital. "I am happy that the girl has returned home," commented Tajani, "and I take this opportunity to offer her my best wishes." The Deputy Prime Minister also thanked the personnel of the Italian Air Force who managed the return of the national, the medical staff of the Bambino Gesù who were on board the aircraft, the officials of the Farnesina and the diplomatic office for their work, emphasizing the "constant commitment of the Italian government to the protection of our nationals around the world." The family of the girl also intervened, stating: "The family expresses its gratitude for the support received from all the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs throughout the entire incident, which concluded with the direct flight from Thailand with a state aircraft and with the medical assistance of the Bambin Gesù hospital." Clinical conditions are stable for the 9-year-old girl who arrived last night at the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital in Rome after undergoing emergency surgery in Thailand due to a brain tumor. On the flight with which the girl was repatriated, there was a team of nurses, anesthesiologists, and neurosurgeons from the Holy See's facility. The girl is now hospitalized in the Neuro-oncology department, where the necessary diagnostic investigations are being carried out to evaluate the next treatments.