Vol. 509 No. 4
117 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the humanitarian case (details supplied) involving a young woman living in a refugee camp in Split, Yugoslavia, and the efforts by Irish Bosnia Aid to finance an urgently required liver transplant for her; and if his Department can assist with this mission of mercy. [20661/99]
The Department has been aware of this case for some time and has been pursuing with the Department of Health and Children the feasibility of bringing this person to Ireland for a liver transplant. This does not appear to be a viable option because there is a specific process for assessment of liver function to determine requirement for and suitability for transplant. As this person has not been assessed, the Department of Health and Children is not in a position to confirm whether this candidate is suitable for the liver programme. In addition, there is a considerable waiting time involved in finding a suitable liver match.
It is understood that the Irish Bosnia Aid group is now exploring the possibility of a liver transplant operation in Belgium and is seeking contributions towards the costs.
Emergency assistance, amounting to £3 million, has been provided to Bosnia from 1992 to 1998. In addition, just under 1,200 Bosnian refugees have been offered resettlement in Ireland since 1992.
