The decision to grant the girl Italian citizenship was adopted yesterday (Monday, November 6) by the Italian Government. Thanks to this, the girl, affected by a rare disease, could be transferred to an Italian hospital, avoiding the interruption of the treatments that keep her alive. As reported in the communiqué issued after the urgently convened Council of Ministers, the Executive, "at the proposal of the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, has agreed to grant Italian citizenship to little Indi Gregory, born in Nottingham (UK) on 24 February 2023, considering the exceptional interest of the national community in guaranteeing further therapeutic development for the minor, and in the protection of pre-eminent humanitarian values which, in this case, are related to the preservation of health". As is known, Italian law prohibits any form of euthanasia. The decision follows the disposition expressed by the pediatric hospital "Bambino Gesù" in relation to the admission of Indi Gregory and the consequent request for the granting of Italian citizenship presented by the parents' lawyers. The Italian Government has also communicated to the hospital management and to the family its commitment to cover the costs of any medical treatment deemed necessary.
Indi Gregory is an eight-month-old English girl affected by a rare mitochondrial disease whose life-saving treatments are to be suspended by the High Court in London. The girl, born in February, suffers from mitochondrial depletion syndrome, an extremely rare degenerative genetic disease that causes the underdevelopment of all muscles. The meeting at Palazzo Chigi concluded in a few minutes, with a "quick decision" that made Indi Gregory an Italian citizen. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commented on Facebook, "Until the end, I will do what I can to defend (Indi's) life and the right of the mom and dad to do everything possible for her." The goal is to allow Indi's transfer to Rome, where the "disconnection" of the machines that keep her alive, especially the assisted ventilation, would be avoided. Indi is currently admitted to Queen's Medical Center in Nottingham, awaiting implementation of the Supreme Court ruling. There, doctors argue that continuing the therapies would only cause unnecessary suffering for the newborn. Indi's parents had appealed, backed by pro-life associations, to prevent the interruption of the treatments and to be allowed to transfer their daughter to Rome.
"From the bottom of our hearts, thanks to the government, we are proud that our daughter is Italian," commented Dean Gregory, Indi's father. "There is hope and confidence in humanity." The decree granting Indi Italian citizenship was signed by the President of the Republic. The parents immediately filed an appeal with the Supreme Court in London to be allowed to transfer her to the Bambino Gesù hospital.
