PalMed Academy and GEM initiative launched and conducted her very first GEM mentorship course for both students and mentors.
This morning was opened by Tareq Abdel-Jawwad who is a currently displaced fifth year medical student at Al-Azhar University in Gaza who gave us an introduction to the ongoing crisis and context under which the GEM scheme is operating with, as well as sharing his own experience as a Gazan medical student and his experience so far with GEM.
Then GEM team given a brief introduction to the GEM scheme by the CEO of GEM, Professor Mahmoud Loubani who touched on the structure of the scheme as well as the ongoing need of the GEM scheme.
The workshops on the theory and application of mentorship was delivered by Lucy Vere who has had over 20 years of experience training NHS staff and organisations during which attendees were given practical advice and basic communication tools on which can use to build and advance their mentor-mentee relationship.
In the afternoon, the lead mentorship co-officers Khansa Irfan and Dr. Elyanna Choi shared their backgrounds and motivations for participating in this scheme.
The panel saw our distinguished speakers Prof. Nidal Moukaddam, Mr. TIm Goodacre, and Dr. Riyadh Almasharqah discuss the challenges of mentorship in a hostile environment for both students and mentors, the psychological and emotional toll of mentorship in our current context, as well as stories of resilience, hope, and advice for mentors involved in the GEM mentorship scheme.
With the Participation of Leading Doctors and International Experts: PalMed Holds an Academic Conference to Support Medical Students in Gaza.
London, 23 November 2024
In light of the challenging circumstances in Gaza, PalMed Academy of PalMed Europe – the Palestinian Doctors’ Association in Europe held an academic conference on Saturday, 23 November 2024, at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. The conference was attended by international medical experts with experience in education and medical training especially in Gaza., the conference, titled “Resurrecting Medical Education in Gaza: Challenges and Solutions,” addressed the severe challenges facing Gaza’s medical education due to the blockade and destruction of healthcare and educational infrastructure.
The conference featured discussions and presentations emphasising innovation of the Gaza Educate Medics led by PalMed Academy and the role of international networks in supporting medical education in Palestine.
Dr. Hussam Adwan,Consultant Surgeon at Wirral University Hospital in the UK and conference chair, said:
“Your participation today fuels the flame of hope not only for students and faculty but for all residents of Gaza.”
Dr. Mohammed Zughbar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Al-Azhar University, delivered an opening lecture comparing medical education in Gaza before the war with its current state. He highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict on the educational system and its broader societal implications.
Dr. Riyad Masharqah, Chair of the Advisory Council of the Palestinian Doctors’ Association in Europe, praised the resilience of Gaza’s medical students and emphasised that this initiative aims to ensure their future, maintain the continuity of medical faculties, and address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals.
Professor Mahmoud Loubani, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Chair of Palmed Academy and CEO of the GEM scheme, stated: “This initiative, under the GEM program, is an investment in Gaza’s future. It ensures the continuity of medical education and the availability of qualified medical personnel to serve the community.”
Since its launch in June 2024, the initiative has enrolled over 2,101 students with the support of more than 1,000 international volunteers offering lectures and assistance through an integrated educational platform. A mentorship scheme for the students of Gaze was unveiled at the conference to commence on the 7th December 2024.
The conference highlighted the struggles faced by Gaza’s medical schools, including the destruction of infrastructure and severe shortages of educational and medical resources. Before the recent conflict, nearly 2,500 students were enrolled in medical faculties at Al-Azhar and Islamic universities.
Dr. Anwar Sheikh Khalil, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Islamic University of Gaza, remarked:
“The destruction of medical education infrastructure threatens not only students’ futures but also the entire healthcare system in Gaza.”
A Global Message of Solidarity
Prominent international figures attended the conference, including Professor Mads Gilbert, the renowned Norwegian humanitarian, and Professor Nick Maynard from Oxford as well as a host of prominent educationalists and academics.
Students from Gaza joined remotely, with Lina Abuhein discussing the daily challenges they face and their essential needs for continuing their education. Tariq Abdel Jawad, from the the GEM Students’ Engagement Committee, shared how students contributed to hospitals during the war, underscoring the hope that international support provides for their education and service to their community.
Charity Dinner
The academic day concluded with a charity dinner, where attendees raised over $150,000 to support the initiative. The main guest speaker and guest of honour at the dinner was Dr. Husam Zomlot, Palestine’s ambassador to the UK who endorsed the initiative and emphasised education as a means of resilience for Palestinians through the decades of occupation.
Palmed Academy: A Vision for Sustainable Medical Education
Founded in 2022, Palmed Academy is the educational arm of the Palestinian Doctors’ Association in Europe, aiming to enhance healthcare in Palestine through education and training. The academy collaborates with international universities and institutions to provide advanced learning materials and training programs.
Through these efforts, PalMed Academy and its partners aim to preserve medical education in Gaza as a cornerstone of Palestinian resilience amidst ongoing challenges imposed by the blockade and conflict.
During a series of inspection visits today, we gained valuable insight into the ongoing work at several medical stations. Here is a summary of the current situation:
Mawsis Karrara health care center
Service delivery continues to improve. Over 200 patients seek daily general medical care here, and the women’s health unit serves 20–25 patients per day. Today, an activity focused on early breast cancer detection was also held. Due to the availability of medical assistance, the number of cases has increased, and the staff’s efforts continue to be invaluable.
Jarar Al-Qudwa health care centre
The staff work with dedication, handling approximately 70 patients each day, mostly for skin diseases and upper respiratory tract infections. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of medicines and medical supplies.
Al-Jazaa’iri Clinic
This station is expanding and reorganising its facilities to meet the growing demand for specialised medical services. Around 110 cases are treated daily, many of which are skin-related. However, as is the case at other stations, the shortage of medications is a significant challenge.
Al Rahma Clinic
The staff at Al-Rahma Station handle around 80 cases daily, involving examinations, treatments, and wound care. They, too, face a shortage of essential medical supplies.
Despite the challenges, including limited resources and medical supplies, the staff at these centres work tirelessly to maintain high-quality care and meet the needs of their patients. Their commitment and willingness to assist are truly commendable. This vital work continues in the effort to improve healthcare for the most vulnerable.
This week we delivered medicines and medical supplies that where purchased with donated funds.
Tuesday, 24.09.2024
With God’s grace and praise, the another shipment of medicines has arrived in southern Gaza, in cooperation between Palmed branches in Sweden, France, Denmark, and Norway, along with the Norwegian Aid Committe ( NORWAC) and the World Health Organization.
The project for the maintenance and reactivation of ambulances in Gaza, funded by the Palestinian Doctors Association in Europe, has begun in coordination with the Ministry of Health in Gaza and under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Abou Nada, Director of the association’s Gaza office.
Project Overview:
The project involves the repair and rehabilitation of 39 ambulances and 15 transport vehiclesthat require spare parts for maintenance and to be operational again.
1. Objective: To supply spare parts for the ambulances and transport vehicles of the Ministry of Health.
2. Scope of Work: The project includes both the provision of spare parts and the execution of necessary maintenance work.
3. Purpose: This project addresses the critical need for spare parts to restore the Ministry of Health’s ambulance and transport vehicle fleet.
4. Phases: The project will be carried out in **two phases**:
– Phase 1: Provision of spare parts.
– Phase 2: Maintenance of the ambulances and transport vehicles.
As part of its health education and psychological support activities, the medical center and mobile clinincs affiliated with Palmed in (Al-Qarara) organized a day of psychological support and entertainment for children at the “Hope Initiative” school, in collaboration with Emphent Center.
These educational and psychological support activities are conducted weekly and regularly by Palmed Euroep at the medical center to raise health awareness and improve the psychological well-being of displaced persons.
The Government Media Office Publishes an Update on the Most Significant Statistics of the Genocide Being Carried Out by the “Israeli” Occupation on Gaza for the 345th Day – Sunday, September 15, 2024
345 days of the genocide.
3,584 massacres committed by the occupation forces.
51,206 martyrs and missing persons.
10,000 missing persons.
41,206 martyrs whose bodies have reached hospitals (Ministry of Health).
16,795 child martyrs.
171 newborn babies born and martyred during the genocide.
710 children under one year old martyred during the war.
36 died as a result of starvation.
11,378 female martyrs.
885 martyrs from medical teams.#
83 martyrs from civil defense teams.
173 journalist martyrs.
750 teachers and education workers killed by the occupation during the war.
115 scholars, university professors, and researchers executed by the occupation.
7 mass graves established by the occupation inside hospitals.
◻️ 520 martyrs retrieved from 7 mass graves inside hospitals.
95,337 wounded and injured (Ministry of Health).
69% of the victims are women and children.
11,500 students killed by the “Israeli” occupation during the war.
180 shelters targeted by the “Israeli” occupation.
19,000 children are living without both parents or one of them.
3,500 children at risk of death due to malnutrition and lack of food.
12,000 injured people need to travel abroad for treatment.
10,000 cancer patients are at risk of death and in need of treatment.
3,000 patients with various diseases need treatment abroad.
1,737,524 people suffering from infectious diseases due to displacement.
71,338 cases of viral hepatitis infections due to displacement.
Approximately 60,000 pregnant women are at risk due to lack of healthcare.
350,000 chronic disease patients are in danger due to the inability to bring in medicines.
310 healthcare personnel arrested.
36 known cases of journalists being arrested.
2 million displaced people in Gaza.
◻️ 100,000 tents have deteriorated and are no longer suitable for displaced people.
◻️ 200 government buildings destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 125 schools and universities completely destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 336 schools and universities partially destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 611 mosques completely destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 214 mosques partially destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 3 churches targeted and destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 150,000 housing units completely destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 80,000 housing units rendered uninhabitable by the occupation.
◻️ 200,000 housing units partially destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 83,000 tons of explosives dropped on Gaza by the occupation.
◻️ 34 hospitals taken out of service by the occupation.
◻️ 80 health centers taken out of service by the occupation.
◻️ 162 health institutions targeted by the occupation.
◻️ 131 ambulances targeted by the occupation.
◻️ 206 archaeological and heritage sites destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 3,130 kilometers of electricity networks destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 330,000 meters of water pipelines destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 655,000 meters of sewage pipelines destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 2,835,000 meters of road and street networks destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 36 sports facilities, including stadiums and gyms, destroyed by the occupation.
◻️ 700 water wells destroyed and taken out of service by the occupation.
◻️ $33 billion in initial direct losses due to the genocide.
**Government Media Office**
**Gaza Strip – Palestine**
**Sunday, September 15, 2024**
Amid the difficult conditions faced by our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the limited resources available in the remaining functioning public and private hospitals, which are inundated with injured and wounded Palestinians, many non-emergency surgeries for numerous patients have been put on hold.
In this context, the Palestinian Doctors Association in Europe – PalMed / Turkey, has launched a new medical project to fund 100 surgeries for injured and displaced individuals in the Nuseirat area and the central governorates of the Gaza Strip, where the largest number of our displaced brethren is located.
This project aims to facilitate and expedite surgeries for those in need, who are on waiting lists, and to support and employ medical staff working in private medical centres in the Gaza Strip.
With the Grace and Blessings of God, the project has commenced by performing several surgeries at Al-Raazi Medical Centre for some of the injured and patients. In this regard, we thank members and friends of PalMed who have supported this project and our other medical initiatives. We ask The Almighty for a speedy and full recovery for all our patients and injured, and for the safety of our bereaved people.
Palmed, in collaboration with local partners, has been spearheading the European Hospital Renewal Project. The project aims to fully rehabilitate the hospital and bring it back to full operational capacity. Thanks to this effort, the hospital’s electrical network has been restored, and the oxygen generator center has been reopened, enabling critical care services to resume.
Project Stages:
Stage 1: Restoration of the hospital’s electrical network.
Stage 2: Reopening of the oxygen generator center.
Stage 3: Currently underway, focusing on continued renovations across all hospital departments and facilities.
This project has brought new hope to the region, providing patients with access to healthcare services that are vital to the community’s well-being. Palmed remains committed to the long-term sustainability of the Health system in Gaza and the enhancement of medical services in the area.
Following two months of closure, the European Hospital in Gaza was successfully reopened on August 25th, with the dedicated support of Palmed . This reopening marks a vital step in restoring essential healthcare services to the people of Gaza after the hospital’s complete evacuation and closure on July 2nd.
Get Involved:
Your support is crucial to our mission. With your contributions, we can continue to progress through the next stages of the European Hospital Renewal Project and ensure a sustainable healthcare future for Gaza.
We are pleased to announce the opening of the fourth medical clinic by the Palestinian Doctors Association in Europe, Turkey Branch, in the heart of Gaza City, specifically in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood. The city faces a severe healthcare crisis due to the scarcity of operational health facilities and the challenges of accessing them. This clinic will provide essential medical services to residents of Sheikh Radwan, Al-Nasr, West Gaza, Al-Shati refugee camp, and surrounding areas.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all colleagues and supporters who contributed to the success of this project and other ongoing medical initiatives by the association. We pray for the swift relief of our people, healing for the injured and sick, and safety for everyone.
