As part of its ongoing humanitarian efforts, PalMed , through its Denmark and France branches, has launched a project to support pregnant displaced women in Gaza camps.
The Denmark branch has established a dedicated maternity and gynecology clinic at Yaffa Hospital, while the France branch has initiated a similar project by setting up a medical point in the region.
These clinics provide regular check-ups for pregnant women, ultrasound scans, and essential medications, including iron supplements and vitamins, all free of charge. These services are critical in light of the fragile healthcare system and the difficulty of accessing medical care in Gaza, where pregnant women face severe shortages of food, medicine, and nutritional supplements.
This initiative addresses the urgent needs of pregnant women, many of whom struggle to find adequate nutrition during pregnancy due to a dire scarcity of fruits and vegetables. The region faces the looming threat of famine, with 95% of Gaza’s population living under extreme food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Additionally, a report by UN Women highlights that 55% of breastfeeding mothers in Gaza suffer from health conditions that hinder their ability to nurse their babies.
This project is part of the association’s broader relief efforts, aiming to support these vulnerable groups through medical points established in various locations across Gaza.
Amid Ongoing Aggression, Displaced Persons Face Harsh Winter Conditions
As the deliberate Israeli aggression continues, over two million displaced individuals are enduring severe hardships in shelters and tents, struggling to protect themselves from fierce winds, freezing temperatures, and relentless rain. This ordeal is further exacerbated by a critical shortage of medical services and essential medicines needed to combat the spread of diseases that thrive under these harsh conditions. Additionally, there is an alarming lack of blankets and warm clothing.
Recent reports have confirmed the tragic deaths of three infants due to the bitter cold sweeping through the displacement camps in the Mawaasi Khan Younis area, south of the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the United Nations has issued a warning that displaced families living in temporary and volatile shelters may not survive the harsh winter season.
In response, PalMed continues its efforts to support the healthcare sector in these areas by establishing medical points that provide essential health services and treatment to refugees, especially children. These initiatives aim to curb the spread of diseases such as influenza, colds, and respiratory infections, and to prevent these illnesses from affecting infants and the elderly, who are most at risk of their fatal outcomes.
PalMed extends its sincere gratitude to its doners and to all who have contributed to the establishment of this medical point.
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.
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.
PalMed France has funded a project to purchase infant formula, which is currently unavailable in Gaza due to the ongoing conflict and Israeli force bannig the enterance of baby milks and Fourmula. With a budget of €10,000,we have secured and delivered a supply of formula to Gaza in collaboration with Save the Children’s Gaza. The formula is being distributed through medical centers across Gaza.
