The Swedish government has rejected the European Commission’s request to receive patients and injured individuals from the Gaza Strip, despite having the medical capacity to treat them in Sweden.
On May 15, the government, along with other European Union member states, received a letter from the European Commission requesting assistance in medical evacuations from Gaza.
However, the Swedish government decided to decline the European request, in contrast to other countries like Norway, which agreed to receive 20 patients from Gaza.
Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm clarified that it has the capacity to receive patients from Gaza. Additionally, the company “Aleris” indicated that it has vacant spaces that could be used immediately.
Sweden’s Minister for Health Care, Acko Ankarberg Johansson, explained that “the cost would be significant for a very small number of patients.”
Aleris’s business manager and specialized nurse, Connie Mathiesen, confirmed that they have the capacity to receive additional patients from Gaza without impacting the care of current patients from Ukraine.
She noted that Aleris had sent a letter at the end of May to Minister Johansson, expressing their readiness to receive patients from Gaza. However, the response came on July 19, stating that the Swedish government continuously monitors incoming requests and evaluates how best to provide Swedish support, including the possibility of receiving patients.
In an interview with DN newspaper, the minister emphasized that Sweden is one of the largest contributors to humanitarian aid for Gaza, having provided an additional 520 million kronor in aid since October 7, 2023. This aid includes providing food and healthcare, including emergency maternity care and neonatal care.
When asked why Sweden rejected the request despite having the capacity, the minister responded that “the costs of receiving a small number of patients are very high, and Sweden prefers to use its resources to provide aid to a larger number of people.”
She pointed out the difficulties in executing evacuations from Gaza, emphasizing that Sweden is providing significant medical support in areas neighboring Gaza in response to increasing demands there. She added that sending medical expertise and equipment to the region might be more effective than carrying out complex medical evacuations for a small number of patients.
