In a frightening scenario, a Keralite is accused by colleagues of standing in the way of evacuation of 279 nurses, all Keralites, trapped in the Military Hospital in Sana’a — the rebel-controlled capital city of Yemen reeling under internal strife and frequent air strikes by Saudi Arabia.
279 stranded
Just one of the 280 nursing staff at the hospital, Jinu Jacob, a native of Angamaly, north of Kochi, returned on the Air India (AI) rescue flight to Kochi on Saturday. “After the Shiite Houthi rebels gained control of the hospital as the internal turbulence worsened, it became a target of air raids. Some of the Houthis, managing the hospital now, got killed in one such attack last week,” she told The Hindu on arrival.
Ms. Jacob had put in her papers as early as March 13 as trouble was brewing, and was to head home on March 30 when the city suddenly plunged into chaos. “It was terrifying, as we had to commute amidst attacks everyday between the hospital and the Madina Tourist City where we were staying. Lights would have to be off since evening, when air attacks began. I was in constant touch with the embassy and the officials offered help if I managed to find my way out,” Ms. Jacob, who served at the hospital for three-and-a-half years, said.
Many hardships
She sought refuge at a friend’s place before finding herself on the AI plane from Sana’a to Djibouti.
While Ms. Jacob’s travel documents had been with her, thanks to her early resignation, her colleagues were not as fortunate.
Rebels’ fear
“The rebels would not let them have their passports and other documents, as their leaving would result in the hospital shutdown. Sadly enough, our nursing superintendent colluded with the rebels to withhold their passports. She is there as superintendent by virtue of the fact that it is an all-Keralite nursing crew. So she does not want them to leave as it will render her jobless too,” said Ms. Jacob.
The nurses protested; and even sent out a written complaint, complete with a copy of the superintendent’s passport, to India government. “It is now heard that soon there will be land attacks. It will be good if they are rescued before that happens,” she said.