The Italian government has granted her citizenship, allowing eight-month-old Indi Gregory, who has been battling mitochondrial disease to be transferred to the Bambino Gesù Hospital in Rome for life-saving treatment.
The move comes after the High Court in London previously blocked her transfer to Italy, where her parents had hoped she could receive necessary care, the UK Daily Mail reported.
Mitochondrial disease is a genetic condition that severely impacts the body’s ability to produce energy.
Doctors in the UK were prepared to end Indi’s life-saving treatment, but her parents, Dean Gregory and Claire Staniforth, were determined to seek help in Rome.
After an urgent cabinet meeting chaired by Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Indi Gregory was granted Italian citizenship.
The Bambino Gesù Hospital in Rome had already expressed its readiness to accept Indi for treatment, with medical teams on standby.
Dean Gregory, Indi’s father, expressed his gratitude to the Italian government and the Italian people for their compassion and support.
“We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we see you as Indi’s guardian angels. The compassion and love you have shown to try and help our daughter get the care she needs and the devotion you have for Indi makes us so happy,” Mr. Gregory said.
“As a father I have never asked or begged for anything in my life, but I am now begging the British government to please help prevent our daughter’s life from being taken away,” he added.
He also appealed to the British government to allow Indi to come to Italy for treatment before it’s too late, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The Italian ambassador in Manchester, acting as Indi’s guardian, issued an emergency measure recognizing the authority of the Italian courts and judgment in the case, authorizing Indi’s transfer to the Bambino Gesù hospital and the adoption of the proposed therapeutic plan.
A special guardian was also appointed to manage the situation and communicate with the British hospital.
Senator Antonella Zedda praised the decision, highlighting Italy’s commitment to the life and defense of the most fragile individuals.
Now, as an Italian citizen, Indi Gregory has the opportunity to receive treatment in Italy, and the Bambino Gesù hospital in Rome has already offered its availability.
Previously, a British High Court judge had ruled that doctors could lawfully limit Indi’s treatment, believing it to be in her best interests.
Despite efforts by her parents, who were supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Court of Appeal judges and judges at the European Court of Human Rights had upheld the treatment decision.
The decision to grant Indi Italian citizenship was made under Article 9, Paragraph 2 of the 1992 law for citizenship, which allows the prime minister to grant citizenship to foreigners if the “interests of the state are concerned.” In this case, it was granted to prevent any form of euthanasia.
Dean Gregory expressed his joy and gratitude for the support from the Italian government and people, emphasizing the care and hope they had provided to his family. The move has brought renewed hope for Indi’s future and the potential for life-saving treatment in Rome.
The Daily Netizen 