US doctor Dr Michio Hirano speaks out in Charlie Gard case
After being accused of giving Charlie Gard's parents false hope, the doctor talks about his involvement in the case.
Wednesday 26 July 2017 03:48, UK
The US doctor at the heart of legal arguments over Charlie Gard has spoken publicly for the first time since the case ended.
Charlie's parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard ended their court fight to take him to the US for experimental treatment on Monday.
But Dr Michio Hirano, a neurology expert from New York's Columbia Medical Center, was criticised by Great Ormond Street Hospital for giving the family false hope that the treatment could help Charlie.
Dr Hirano has released a statement, saying: "I became involved in Charlie's case when I was contacted by his parents, and I subsequently agreed to speak with his doctors to discuss whether and experimental therapy being developed in my lab could provide meaningful clinical improvement in Charlie's condition.
"As I disclosed in court on 13 July, I have relinquished and have no financial interest in the treatment being developed for Charlie's condition.
"Unfortunately, a MRI scan of Charlie's muscle tissue conducted in the past week has revealed that it is very unlikely that he would benefit from this treatment."
Great Ormond Street Hospital had said in a statement that it would be giving "careful thought" to what it can learn from the "bruising" court fight, after Charlie's parents withdrew their application to take him to the US for treatment.
In a statement read out at the High Court, Katie Gollop QC said the hospital hoped that those, like Professor Hirano, who "have provided the opinions that have so sustained Charlie's parents, their hopes and thus this protracted litigation with its many consequences, will also find much upon which to reflect".
But among those , whose son has a similar condition to Charlie and has been receiving the experimental treatment.
Mr Estopinan described Dr Hirano as "an angel" and "a saint".