Press Release

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.

For more information about GEM and PalMed Academy:- www.Palmedacademy.com

Togeter, We can.

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

Administrator for PalMed Academy and Gaza Educate Medics Scheme.

https://palmedacademy.com/

The Position

This role involves the following:

1. To perform the function of Administrator for both PalMed Academy and Gaza Educate Medics (GEM Scheme) and maintain the website for PalMed Academy

2. Communicate with Faculty and students on the GEM Scheme.

3. Coordinate and assist in organising courses and webinars run by the Academy and GEM

4. Arrange meetings of the Academy Executive Committee and GEM committees

5. A job specification for an administrative role outlines the qualifications, skills, and attributes required for the position.

Person Specification:

1. Educational Background: minimum educational requirement is high school diploma or equivalent.

2. Experience: Previous experience in administrative roles, if any will be an advantage.

3. Skills:

-Proficiency in office software such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) or Google Suite.

-Strong organizational and time management skills.

– Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

– Attention to detail and accuracy in completing tasks.

– Ability to multitask and prioritize workload effectively.

– Discretion and ability to handle confidential information with sensitivity.

– Customer service orientation and interpersonal skills for interacting with colleagues and clients.

4. Additional Requirements:

– Knowledge of basic accounting principles for tasks like invoicing and expense tracking.

– Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work well under pressure.

– Willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities as needed.

5. Personal Attributes:

• Professionalism and integrity in all interactions.

• Proactive and self-motivated approach to work.

• Team player with a collaborative attitude.

• Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment.

Salary: Remuneration between £20,000 to 25,000 per year depending on qualifications andexperience

Workplace: the successful candidate is expected to work from home and have access to internet and computer

Application: Expression of interest with a copy of CV to be sent to loubani@gemedu.online by the 10th of May 2024.

https://palmedacademy.com/

“PalMed Academy formally launches the GEM initiative in partnership with relevant entities in Palestine.”

Introducing the “GEM” initiative! This program is tailored to aid medical students in Gaza through Gaza Educate Medics, reflecting our dedication to fostering a constructive influence within the medical community.

PalMed academy invite you to join us in spreading the word about this important initiative by liking, commenting, and sharing the project with your network.

Together, let’s shine a light on the invaluable work being done to support medical education in Gaza!

You can watch the first introductory session about the project, and read the project’s goals at the following link.

→ https://rebrand.ly/ol9qcdc

Please all our medical students in Gaza, register their data at the following link.

→ https://rebrand.ly/5pc39ow

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Together We Can

PalMed Academy Launches GEM Initiative to Rebuild Medical Education in Gaza

In a groundbreaking move to address the disruption caused by the destruction of health and educational institutions in Gaza, PalMed Academy, an affiliate of PalMed Europe, has officially launched the Gaza Educate Medics (GEM) initiative.

PalMed Academy, the Palestinian doctors association in Europe, has been at the forefront of efforts to resume the education of 2500 medical students in Gaza. The initiative was unveiled during a preliminary public meeting on March 9, 2024, attended by distinguished academics, consultants, and medical professionals.

Chaired by Professor Mahmoud Loubani, the meeting featured a presentation by Dr. Lubna Saghir, Consultant in family medicine, introducing the concept of GEM. The initiative aims to establish a virtual medical college, leveraging the expertise of volunteering academics and consultants worldwide to educate Gaza’s medical students. This approach allows students to follow their own syllabus and graduate from their respective colleges, preserving the institutions’ accreditation.

Dr. Riyad Masharqa, Consultant plastic surgeon and Chair of PalMed Europe, outlined the ambitious goals of PalMed and the Academy in supporting this crucial project. The operational structure of GEM, as explained by Professor Loubani, includes various committees to facilitate the implementation of the initiative. Attendees were invited to enroll in committees aligning with their expertise.

The second half of the meeting saw lively discussions and comments from professionals across America, Europe, Palestine, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and the UK. Participants from the International Conference for Rebuilding Health Care in Gaza, including Professor Omar Lattuf and Professor Ruba Ali Fahmi, expressed unanimous support for the GEM initiative.

Delegates from Gaza’s medical colleges, as well as representatives from Aberdeen in Scotland, London, and Ireland, were in attendance. The GEM initiative received enthusiastic approval from all delegates, with Professor Lattuf and Professor Ruba Ali pledging their full support.

Forms for registering in GEM committees have been distributed to interested parties, and a brief outline of the initiative’s structure, along with a registration form, is available for those looking to contribute. The PalMed Academy encourages interested individuals to join before the first follow-up meeting in six weeks.

Dr. Bashier Oudeh, Secretary of PalMed Academy, stated, “We are confident there will be a great number of eminent volunteers coming forward as we extend our invitation to colleagues all over the world.”

For more information, please contact PalMed Academy through email at chair@palmedacademy.com

GEM meeting

WhatsApp-Image-2024-03-06-at-00.14.15.jpeg

Brussels

March 5, 2024

Invited by the European Parliament, a delegation from the Palestinian Doctors Association in Europe – France branch – visited the European Parliament in Brussels. The purpose of the visit was to present testimonies from doctors returning from the Gaza Strip after participating in medical missions sent by the association to support the healthcare sector there.

The delegation members provided vivid testimonies illustrating the humanitarian and health challenges faced by the residents of the Gaza Strip due to the aggression against them. Additionally, the delegation distributed a press release on behalf of the Palestinian Doctors Association in Europe – France branch, urging the European Union to take a strong stance to halt the aggression and contribute to bringing in more doctors and medical aid to Gaza, preventing further innocent casualties in the region.

English Report. In French In Arabic

Unprecedented Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds at Nasser Medical Complex by Israeli Occupation Forces

In a shocking display of disregard for human life, the Israeli occupation has transformed the Nasser Medical Complex into a military barracks, rendering it non-operational and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. Medical staff, dedicated to saving lives, have been subjected to reprehensible treatment-bound for extended periods, physically assaulted, beaten, and stripped of their clothing within the confines of the maternity building.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, Israeli forces have arrested a staggering 70 healthcare professionals at the hospital, leaving a mere 25 staff members struggling to cope with cases requiring intensive clinical care. The arrest of the intensive care doctors further compounds the tragedy, leaving critical cases without proper medical oversight. Disturbingly, dozens of bedridden and helpless patients, already undergoing treatment, were forcibly removed from the complex, endangering their lives and well-being.

The appalling conditions are exacerbated by the intentional cutting off of electricity to Nasser Medical Complex for three days, resulting in the interruption of oxygen supply. Tragically, seven patients have already succumbed to the consequences, and there are fears for the lives of dozens currently in critical care. Moreover, the suspension of generators has left the complex without water, food, and hygiene, creating oppressive and unsafe conditions for the three women, one of whom is a doctor, who gave birth within its walls. As sewage water floods emergency departments, the Israeli occupation refusal to coordinate repairs further compounds the suffering. The international community is urged to condemn these reprehensible actions, as we hold the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the lives of medical teams and patients at Nasser Medical Complex.

Press Release

20/12/2022

More Palestinians lose their lives every day as a result of the continuing Israeli occupation of their land, however, one of the victims today died in a particularly despicable circumstance.

Nasser Abu Humeid was suffering from cancer but was denied essential care and treatment because he was a prisoner in Israeli jails.

International law makes the occupiers responsible for the wellbeing of the occupied population, something which is neglected totally by the Israeli occupation, whose policies make life intolerable for the Palestinian people.

There are over five thousand Palestinians in Israeli prisons, many without trial, and they include women in children.

Over 600 Palestinian prisoners have long-term and serious conditions, including 24 patients with cancer; the medical care offered to these prisoners is totally inadequate, most of them suffer terribly from neglect, lack of treatment, and ultimately death.

PalMed UK joins international organizations in demanding that Palestinian prisoners are offered adequate and humane treatment.

To suffer the harsh conditions of a very long occupation is bad enough, to die because of malicious medical neglect is totally reprehensible. As medical professionals, we feel it is our duty to highlight the suffering of the Palestinian prisoners, and to demand that they are given proper and humanitarian care in accordance with international laws and conversations.

PalMed Europe

Press Release

We received with great sorrow the tragic news of the loss of twenty-three innocent lives from one family in Gaza.
A terrible fire raged last night after the fuel store the family ignited accidentally. The family needed to keep the fuel for heating and also to supply their essential power generator.

The people of Gaza have to survive on severely reduced and erratic power supply, due to the callous siege imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities, which is now in its sixteenth year, and have already claimed countless innocent lives through lack of medical care and crumbling infrastructure and public facilities.

As more innocent lives are lost daily, we have to join all humanitarian agencies in calling for the siege on Gaza to be lifted immediately.

We share the sadness of those who believed and pray that the suffering of the people of Gaza and Palestine is alleviated soon.

After all, they deserve to live in peace in their own land, like all other people in the world.

PalMed Europe
18 November 2022

Conclusion of the PalMed Academy Conference in Support of the GEM Project.