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Ali en Route to Kuwait for Medical Treatment
Aired April 15, 2003 - 15:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: An update now on a little Iraqi boy named Ali who has received worldwide attention. He's on his way to Kuwait to be treated for some extensive war wounds. As ITN's Andrea Catherwood reports, Ali has become something of a poster child for Iraq's casualties.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDREA CATHERWOOD, ITV NEWS (voice-over): This is what 12-year- old Ali has been asking for, what his doctors have been praying for, and what the outside world has been demanding. Finally, U.S. Marines arrived at the hospital where Ali has survived since his horrific injuries 18 days ago. They're here to take him to Kuwait and to a specialist burns unit.
When Ali woke this morning, he could scarcely believe that today would really be the day when he'd be taken abroad for the treatment he so desperately needs. But he was hopeful and his eyes were bright. He talked to me about football and his favorite players, Louis Figo (ph) and David Beckham.
Friends and relatives arrived today. For some, it was the first time they've been able to see him since the explosion that killed his mother, father, brothers and cousins. They were horrified by his injuries and pleaded for him to get specialist treatment outside Iraq. His doctor, too, is grateful that Ali is getting this chance.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I welcomed any help. And we will help to take him to a special unit abroad where he can get good care. You know I am the only hospital working now in Baghdad.
CATHERWOOD: And the hospital is becoming increasingly tense. Armed men now roam the wards. Fighters, too, are being treated here. It's woefully overcrowded and chaotic.
In these conditions, it's a miracle Ali has survived here at all. The part of each day Ali dreads is when his amputation wounds and burns must be washed and dressed. In these primitive conditions without drugs, the pain is excruciating for Ali and far too traumatic to film.
Putting a little boy through such agony reduces his doctor to tears. Mercifully, today was the last time that will happen to Ali. Tonight, this little boy, who had lost so much and been so brave, is finally going to get the treatment he deserves. Andrea Catherwood, ITV News, Baghdad. (END VIDEOTAPE)
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And we are told Ali right now is en route to Kuwait to arrive at the hospital soon, possibly within the next hour. We will bring that to you live as soon as it happens.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired April 15, 2003 - 15:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: An update now on a little Iraqi boy named Ali who has received worldwide attention. He's on his way to Kuwait to be treated for some extensive war wounds. As ITN's Andrea Catherwood reports, Ali has become something of a poster child for Iraq's casualties.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDREA CATHERWOOD, ITV NEWS (voice-over): This is what 12-year- old Ali has been asking for, what his doctors have been praying for, and what the outside world has been demanding. Finally, U.S. Marines arrived at the hospital where Ali has survived since his horrific injuries 18 days ago. They're here to take him to Kuwait and to a specialist burns unit.
When Ali woke this morning, he could scarcely believe that today would really be the day when he'd be taken abroad for the treatment he so desperately needs. But he was hopeful and his eyes were bright. He talked to me about football and his favorite players, Louis Figo (ph) and David Beckham.
Friends and relatives arrived today. For some, it was the first time they've been able to see him since the explosion that killed his mother, father, brothers and cousins. They were horrified by his injuries and pleaded for him to get specialist treatment outside Iraq. His doctor, too, is grateful that Ali is getting this chance.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I welcomed any help. And we will help to take him to a special unit abroad where he can get good care. You know I am the only hospital working now in Baghdad.
CATHERWOOD: And the hospital is becoming increasingly tense. Armed men now roam the wards. Fighters, too, are being treated here. It's woefully overcrowded and chaotic.
In these conditions, it's a miracle Ali has survived here at all. The part of each day Ali dreads is when his amputation wounds and burns must be washed and dressed. In these primitive conditions without drugs, the pain is excruciating for Ali and far too traumatic to film.
Putting a little boy through such agony reduces his doctor to tears. Mercifully, today was the last time that will happen to Ali. Tonight, this little boy, who had lost so much and been so brave, is finally going to get the treatment he deserves. Andrea Catherwood, ITV News, Baghdad. (END VIDEOTAPE)
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And we are told Ali right now is en route to Kuwait to arrive at the hospital soon, possibly within the next hour. We will bring that to you live as soon as it happens.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
