November 21, 2023

Viral British Infant Dies after UK Orders Removal of Life Support

Indi Gregory, an 8-month-old British infant suffering from a mitochondrial disease, died last week after the UK government removed life support without parental consent. This happened despite the Italian government granting Gregeroy citizenship in a bid to have her transferred to receive care.

Gregory was receiving life-sustaining treatment on a ventilator at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, England when the UK's high court ruled that it was in the child's "best interests" to be removed from life support against her parents' wishes.

On Nov 6, the Italian government granted Gregory Italian citizenship and agreed to cover her medical treatment at the Vatican’s pediatric hospital, Bambino Gesù.

Despite repeated appeals, the UK courts refused to allow Gregory's parents to have her taken to Rome for treatment. On Nov 10, the UK courts ruled that Gregory's life support be removed "immediately."

The story of Gregory's care under the British healthcare system drew a lot of attention online, with many Italians branding the UK as "Death Island"