7 july 2013
Smugglers resumed pumping fuel to the Gaza Strip through tunnels under the Egyptian border on Sunday, easing a fuel crisis in the enclave, an official said.
Muhammad al-Abadlah, a spokesman for the federation of fuel companies, told Ma'an that enough fuel was being smuggled in to partially meet needs in Gaza.
Meanwhile government official Abdul-Nasser Muhanna said the fuel crisis would be resolved soon.
Muhanna, an official in the general petroleum department, did not give any details on the source of the fuel.
Egypt's crackdown on smuggling tunnels created a crippling fuel crisis in recent days, causing long queues at gas stations across Gaza.
The health ministry in Gaza warned Saturday that hospitals' fuel reserves were down to 20 percent.
Egypt continued to close smuggling tunnels along the Gaza border on Sunday.
Egypt's army used sand to seal several smuggling tunnels near the Brazil neighborhood, a Ma'an reporter said.
An Egyptian military official told Ma'an that soldiers seized seven boxes of ammunition at a tunnel opening in the al-Barahmeh neighborhood of Rafah on Sunday. He added that the army had deployed to the area to stop people entering through tunnels.
The official said Egypt's army was preparing for a major operation in Sinai following a series of militant attacks in the peninsula after the military ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on Wednesday.
Egyptian soldiers and armored vehicles have deployed heavily along the Gaza border for two weeks.
Muhammad al-Abadlah, a spokesman for the federation of fuel companies, told Ma'an that enough fuel was being smuggled in to partially meet needs in Gaza.
Meanwhile government official Abdul-Nasser Muhanna said the fuel crisis would be resolved soon.
Muhanna, an official in the general petroleum department, did not give any details on the source of the fuel.
Egypt's crackdown on smuggling tunnels created a crippling fuel crisis in recent days, causing long queues at gas stations across Gaza.
The health ministry in Gaza warned Saturday that hospitals' fuel reserves were down to 20 percent.
Egypt continued to close smuggling tunnels along the Gaza border on Sunday.
Egypt's army used sand to seal several smuggling tunnels near the Brazil neighborhood, a Ma'an reporter said.
An Egyptian military official told Ma'an that soldiers seized seven boxes of ammunition at a tunnel opening in the al-Barahmeh neighborhood of Rafah on Sunday. He added that the army had deployed to the area to stop people entering through tunnels.
The official said Egypt's army was preparing for a major operation in Sinai following a series of militant attacks in the peninsula after the military ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on Wednesday.
Egyptian soldiers and armored vehicles have deployed heavily along the Gaza border for two weeks.
6 july 2013
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza warned on Saturday of the seriousness of the situation in the health sector in light of the shortage of fuel. Dr. Ashraf al-Qudra, ministry spokesman, said: "The stifling crisis of fuel in Gaza has a significant impact on the health services that have been affected since last Saturday."
He explained that the operation rooms, laboratories, intensive care rooms and the preterm infants’ service always need uninterrupted electricity.
"We are facing now a critical juncture in light of the continued closure of crossings," Qudra said, adding: "We still have only 20 per cent of the diesel stock, and we are trying to exploit it to the optimal use, as part of a plan to reduce consumption."
He said that the Health Ministry's plan to rationalize the consumption aims to take advantage of the remaining available quantities for as long time as possible.
Qudra asserted that the ministry is doing its utmost to provide health service for the Palestinian people, despite the suffering of the Gaza Strip in light of the Egyptian developments.
He explained that the operation rooms, laboratories, intensive care rooms and the preterm infants’ service always need uninterrupted electricity.
"We are facing now a critical juncture in light of the continued closure of crossings," Qudra said, adding: "We still have only 20 per cent of the diesel stock, and we are trying to exploit it to the optimal use, as part of a plan to reduce consumption."
He said that the Health Ministry's plan to rationalize the consumption aims to take advantage of the remaining available quantities for as long time as possible.
Qudra asserted that the ministry is doing its utmost to provide health service for the Palestinian people, despite the suffering of the Gaza Strip in light of the Egyptian developments.
Saudi men walk to the King Fahad hospital in the city of Hofuf, east of the capital Riyadh on June 16, 2013
The World Health Organization announced Friday it had convened emergency talks on the enigmatic, deadly MERS virus, which is striking hardest in Saudi Arabia.
The move comes amid concern about the potential impact of October's Islamic hajj pilgrimage, when millions of people from around the globe will head to and from Saudi Arabia.
WHO health security chief Keiji Fukuda said the MERS meeting would take place Tuesday in the form of a telephone conference of officials from affected countries and global experts.
Fukuda told reporters it was a "proactive move".
"It means that if in the future we do see some kind of explosion, or some big outbreak, or we think the situation has really changed, we will already have a group of emergency committee experts who are really up to speed, so we don't have to go through a steep learning curve," he said.
The meeting could decide whether to label MERS an international health emergency, he added.
The WHO has not recommended any MERS-related travel restrictions but says countries should monitor unusual respiratory infection patterns.
The first recorded MERS death was in June 2012 in Saudi Arabia. The number of infections has ticked up, with almost 20 per month in April, May and June taking it to 79.
"Right now, we're seeing this steady pattern of cases. We're not in the midst of any acute event right now," Fukuda stressed.
So far 43 MERS patients have died -- 54 percent, compared to nine percent of the 8,273 recorded case of SARS, which erupted in Asia in 2003.
Experts are struggling to understand MERS, short for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus.
It shares the flu-like symptoms of its cousin SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, but differs in that it causes kidney failure.
Like SARS, MERS is thought to have jumped from animals to humans.
It seems deadliest for older men who already have other medical conditions, and can spread between humans, but appears far less contagious than SARS for now.
"We are not seeing it sweep through communities," Fukuda said. "There are no big explosions going on right now.
"But because we have gaps in the information, it makes it very hard to peer into the future."
There have been cases in Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while Britain, France, Italy, Tunisia and Britain have recorded transmission to patients who did not travel to the Middle East but had close contact with people who did.
The annual hajj is one of the globe's largest gatherings, raising concern that MERS could spread among pilgrims at Islam's two holiest Muslim sites of Mecca and Medina, before being carried back to their homelands.
Both Saudi Arabia and the WHO note that lower-scale, year-round "umrah" pilgrimages have not spread MERS.
"I think we're always worried in a globalized world that infection can travel from one country to another," said Fukuda.
"But if you disrupt travel, you slow travel, you also create another set of stresses, concerns and problems. So in looking at this situation, we try to balance both of those things."
The MERS meeting will be only the second time the WHO has activated a new system known as the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, created after the SARS crisis sparked global panic over emerging viruses.
The last was during the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak, which is believed to have claimed tens of thousands of lives, raising fears of a pandemic like Spanish Flu, which killed millions after World War I.
The World Health Organization announced Friday it had convened emergency talks on the enigmatic, deadly MERS virus, which is striking hardest in Saudi Arabia.
The move comes amid concern about the potential impact of October's Islamic hajj pilgrimage, when millions of people from around the globe will head to and from Saudi Arabia.
WHO health security chief Keiji Fukuda said the MERS meeting would take place Tuesday in the form of a telephone conference of officials from affected countries and global experts.
Fukuda told reporters it was a "proactive move".
"It means that if in the future we do see some kind of explosion, or some big outbreak, or we think the situation has really changed, we will already have a group of emergency committee experts who are really up to speed, so we don't have to go through a steep learning curve," he said.
The meeting could decide whether to label MERS an international health emergency, he added.
The WHO has not recommended any MERS-related travel restrictions but says countries should monitor unusual respiratory infection patterns.
The first recorded MERS death was in June 2012 in Saudi Arabia. The number of infections has ticked up, with almost 20 per month in April, May and June taking it to 79.
"Right now, we're seeing this steady pattern of cases. We're not in the midst of any acute event right now," Fukuda stressed.
So far 43 MERS patients have died -- 54 percent, compared to nine percent of the 8,273 recorded case of SARS, which erupted in Asia in 2003.
Experts are struggling to understand MERS, short for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus.
It shares the flu-like symptoms of its cousin SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, but differs in that it causes kidney failure.
Like SARS, MERS is thought to have jumped from animals to humans.
It seems deadliest for older men who already have other medical conditions, and can spread between humans, but appears far less contagious than SARS for now.
"We are not seeing it sweep through communities," Fukuda said. "There are no big explosions going on right now.
"But because we have gaps in the information, it makes it very hard to peer into the future."
There have been cases in Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while Britain, France, Italy, Tunisia and Britain have recorded transmission to patients who did not travel to the Middle East but had close contact with people who did.
The annual hajj is one of the globe's largest gatherings, raising concern that MERS could spread among pilgrims at Islam's two holiest Muslim sites of Mecca and Medina, before being carried back to their homelands.
Both Saudi Arabia and the WHO note that lower-scale, year-round "umrah" pilgrimages have not spread MERS.
"I think we're always worried in a globalized world that infection can travel from one country to another," said Fukuda.
"But if you disrupt travel, you slow travel, you also create another set of stresses, concerns and problems. So in looking at this situation, we try to balance both of those things."
The MERS meeting will be only the second time the WHO has activated a new system known as the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, created after the SARS crisis sparked global panic over emerging viruses.
The last was during the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak, which is believed to have claimed tens of thousands of lives, raising fears of a pandemic like Spanish Flu, which killed millions after World War I.
2 july 2013
The European Union (EU) Monday provided €13 million to East Jerusalem hospitals in response to serious cash flow in the hospitals due to failure of the Palestinian government to pay outstanding debt to these hospitals, an EU press statement said. The announcement was made in ceremonies held at Augusta Victoria Hospital on Mount of Olives to celebrate the Joint Commission International accreditation for quality and patient safety awarded to Augusta Victoria and St John's Eye hospitals last month.
“The EU responded to the major cash flow problems of East Jerusalem hospitals as a result of the Palestinian Authority's financial crisis,” said the statement.
The EU last year made another €10 million contribution to the hospitals to cover costs for patients referred for treatment in these hospitals by the Ministry of Health.
“By addressing this severe debt problem, hospital facilities remained open and medical staff continued working to provide much-needed specialized health services to patients across the West Bank and Gaza,” added the statement.
“The EU continues to be a close and reliable partner to the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian people,” said the EU Representative John Gatt-Rutter.
“The objective of our support, announced today, is to allow the Palestinian Authority meet its obligations towards the East Jerusalem hospitals and ultimately ensure the provision of essential services to the Palestinian people,” he added.
“All six facilities of the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network provide quality specialized health services which are not available elsewhere in Palestine. Preserving their work is important,” said Gatt-Rutter.
Speaking on behalf of the Network, Tawfiq Nasser, director of August Victoria Hospital and coordinator of the Network, expressed the sincere appreciation of all the hospitals for the support extended by the EU through the World Health Organization (WHO) to all the hospitals.
He emphasized that this type of grant guarantees the health and wellbeing of patients, helps the Palestinian Ministry of Health sustain its services to its people, and empowers the national health system to respond to community needs while reducing costs of treatment referrals outside the Palestinian territories. That comes in addition to strengthening the Palestinian professional and civil society in East Jerusalem.
The European Union and the World Health Organization have supported the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network for the last four years. Through the latest phase of this program the EU provided €2.4 million which allowed the hospitals to improve the quality of their health services and upgrade their status to the highest international standards.
As a result, Augusta Victoria and St John's Eye Hospital were recently awarded the Joint Commission International accreditation for quality and patient safety.
“The EU responded to the major cash flow problems of East Jerusalem hospitals as a result of the Palestinian Authority's financial crisis,” said the statement.
The EU last year made another €10 million contribution to the hospitals to cover costs for patients referred for treatment in these hospitals by the Ministry of Health.
“By addressing this severe debt problem, hospital facilities remained open and medical staff continued working to provide much-needed specialized health services to patients across the West Bank and Gaza,” added the statement.
“The EU continues to be a close and reliable partner to the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian people,” said the EU Representative John Gatt-Rutter.
“The objective of our support, announced today, is to allow the Palestinian Authority meet its obligations towards the East Jerusalem hospitals and ultimately ensure the provision of essential services to the Palestinian people,” he added.
“All six facilities of the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network provide quality specialized health services which are not available elsewhere in Palestine. Preserving their work is important,” said Gatt-Rutter.
Speaking on behalf of the Network, Tawfiq Nasser, director of August Victoria Hospital and coordinator of the Network, expressed the sincere appreciation of all the hospitals for the support extended by the EU through the World Health Organization (WHO) to all the hospitals.
He emphasized that this type of grant guarantees the health and wellbeing of patients, helps the Palestinian Ministry of Health sustain its services to its people, and empowers the national health system to respond to community needs while reducing costs of treatment referrals outside the Palestinian territories. That comes in addition to strengthening the Palestinian professional and civil society in East Jerusalem.
The European Union and the World Health Organization have supported the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network for the last four years. Through the latest phase of this program the EU provided €2.4 million which allowed the hospitals to improve the quality of their health services and upgrade their status to the highest international standards.
As a result, Augusta Victoria and St John's Eye Hospital were recently awarded the Joint Commission International accreditation for quality and patient safety.
30 june 2013
Jad Taweel, chairman of the board of directors for Palestinian Society for Bleeding Disorders (PSBD) said there are 450 haemophilia patients in Palestine facing severe problems in treatment. Taweel pointed in press statement on Saturday to the patients' inability to afford the high costs of treatment, the high incidence of the condition in the Palestinian territories and the lack of treatment in Palestinian hospitals.
He explained that in case of ordinary bleeding, a patient with haemophilia needs 25 therapeutic units at a cost of up to $2,500 per month.
He added: "Unfortunately, coagulation factors are not available on a regular basis for the treatment of haemophilia patients. There are no specialized care services for these patients, according to international protocols, and this increases the suffering of the patients."
Haemophilia is a hereditary disorder that impairs the body's ability to control blood clotting or coagulation, which is used to stop bleeding when a blood vessel is broken.
A haemophilia patient bleeds longer even from the simplest bruises and wounds.
He explained that in case of ordinary bleeding, a patient with haemophilia needs 25 therapeutic units at a cost of up to $2,500 per month.
He added: "Unfortunately, coagulation factors are not available on a regular basis for the treatment of haemophilia patients. There are no specialized care services for these patients, according to international protocols, and this increases the suffering of the patients."
Haemophilia is a hereditary disorder that impairs the body's ability to control blood clotting or coagulation, which is used to stop bleeding when a blood vessel is broken.
A haemophilia patient bleeds longer even from the simplest bruises and wounds.
5 june 2013
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Sitting motionless under falling roofing sheets with his worn out and musty dress and his body burdened with excess fat for lack of movement, Ahmed said "I wish I get healed and live normally without being ashamed of; I wish I can go down street" Born Fine
According to his mother, Ahmed from Khan Younis in southern the Gaza Strip, was born natural, with 2.5 kg, in 1990; the symptoms of his body puffing up started to appear some 15 years from his birth date. The family was first interviewed by Palestinian News Agency (Safa) in September 2011. The mother says "she had been working hard searching for someone among Gaza doctors to recognize the reason behind getting fatter\" |
"His case was confusing to doctors; many of whom advised me to take him abroad. We went through a deep distress as there\'s any one to provide for the family and Ahmed's care in particular. My husband died 7 years ago. Ahmed, 21, Waleed, 19, Mohammed, 23, and Soaad, 8, were just having in-kind aid from charity" She says.
"Ahmed doesn't have a mental disorder, but his obesity contributed to his academic failure since his childhood, being limited to his home and usually on a sitting position," his mother holds.
"More than that, he easily gets irritated and aggressive after depression invaded him; he has a difficulty in standing and sleeping on his back and keeps crying while we stay up next to him during night"
"The sagging fat made it difficult for him to urinate, and caused his skin to peel off, which was a caller for us to give him painkillers and antiseptics. Moreover, we used to buy wear specially knitted for him"
Gaza government, Jordan Help
Ahmed's mother didn't leave an avenue to find an answer Ahmed's weight, which increased to 280 by the time of the interviewing.
"We appealed to the Prime Minister Ismail Haniyyeh to help Ahmed to recover; he thankfully responded by sending official delegates accompanied by a delegation from Gaza-based Jordanian Field Hospital"
The government delegation headed by the Director of Haniyyeh's Office presented urgent financial assistance. They also made an appeal on the family's behalf to Jordan's King Abdullah asking Ahmed to be treated abroad, according to the mother.
"Then Ahmed turned very hopeful and pleased to hear about Jordan's King responding to his appeal to receive treatment at the expense of Royal Court,"
Unfounded Hope
One and a half year later now, Safa correspondent returned to Ahmed's family to know how his medication in Jordan went on.
However, Ahmed's 11-month-long treatment in Jordan hasn't been a success. He is now 23 years old and his weight jumped to 500 kg or around.
Ahmed's pains don't seem to succumb. His body, especially his right leg, started to gradually inflate and to get redder, while his movement is much more restricted and sleeping is becoming far from attainable.
Ahmed's hope of a healthy life is now woefully waning. He turned frustrated after his medication attempts went to no avail. His suffering is no longer being seen as worth concerning to anybody.
A Demanding Ahmed
The family is being encountered with greater obsession about his very special needs. He doesn't sleep, excrete, nor dress as normally as human beings.
His mother says "he needs a special type of creams that costs about 30 shekels a day to reduce the inflammation of his body, not to mention the antibiotics barely working; he also needs a well-ventilated bedroom and air cooling for summer, so that his body wouldn't get dirty, and needs loose clothing, and finally a medicine to stop the fat flowing from his body"
His mother can do nothing but appeal to the officials from Ministry of Health, and to President Mahmoud Abbas, and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to feel compassion towards her son and to complete their efforts to provide treatment for him.
"Ahmed doesn't have a mental disorder, but his obesity contributed to his academic failure since his childhood, being limited to his home and usually on a sitting position," his mother holds.
"More than that, he easily gets irritated and aggressive after depression invaded him; he has a difficulty in standing and sleeping on his back and keeps crying while we stay up next to him during night"
"The sagging fat made it difficult for him to urinate, and caused his skin to peel off, which was a caller for us to give him painkillers and antiseptics. Moreover, we used to buy wear specially knitted for him"
Gaza government, Jordan Help
Ahmed's mother didn't leave an avenue to find an answer Ahmed's weight, which increased to 280 by the time of the interviewing.
"We appealed to the Prime Minister Ismail Haniyyeh to help Ahmed to recover; he thankfully responded by sending official delegates accompanied by a delegation from Gaza-based Jordanian Field Hospital"
The government delegation headed by the Director of Haniyyeh's Office presented urgent financial assistance. They also made an appeal on the family's behalf to Jordan's King Abdullah asking Ahmed to be treated abroad, according to the mother.
"Then Ahmed turned very hopeful and pleased to hear about Jordan's King responding to his appeal to receive treatment at the expense of Royal Court,"
Unfounded Hope
One and a half year later now, Safa correspondent returned to Ahmed's family to know how his medication in Jordan went on.
However, Ahmed's 11-month-long treatment in Jordan hasn't been a success. He is now 23 years old and his weight jumped to 500 kg or around.
Ahmed's pains don't seem to succumb. His body, especially his right leg, started to gradually inflate and to get redder, while his movement is much more restricted and sleeping is becoming far from attainable.
Ahmed's hope of a healthy life is now woefully waning. He turned frustrated after his medication attempts went to no avail. His suffering is no longer being seen as worth concerning to anybody.
A Demanding Ahmed
The family is being encountered with greater obsession about his very special needs. He doesn't sleep, excrete, nor dress as normally as human beings.
His mother says "he needs a special type of creams that costs about 30 shekels a day to reduce the inflammation of his body, not to mention the antibiotics barely working; he also needs a well-ventilated bedroom and air cooling for summer, so that his body wouldn't get dirty, and needs loose clothing, and finally a medicine to stop the fat flowing from his body"
His mother can do nothing but appeal to the officials from Ministry of Health, and to President Mahmoud Abbas, and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to feel compassion towards her son and to complete their efforts to provide treatment for him.
28 may 2013
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Palestinian sources say the Israeli regime has supplied Gaza hospitals with a potentially killer gas to be used for anesthetic purposes, Press TV reports.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza said Israel, which is the sole supplier of nitrous oxide gas to Gaza hospitals, gave them carbon dioxide gas posing as nitrous oxide. Four patients have died after inhaling carbon dioxide instead of nitrous oxide during surgical operations. Gaza Health Minister Ashraf al-Qudra described the Tel Aviv regime’s move an “unethical crime,” saying, “We hold the Israeli regime fully responsible for endangering the lives of our patients.” “This is another attempt by Israel to make life harder for the people of Gaza amid the ongoing blockade. Israel is the sole supplier of nitrous gas and there is no one else to blame but the Israeli occupation,” al-Qudra added. Nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen is given to patients to ease the pain and induce sleep prior to surgeries. Experts say replacing nitrous oxide with carbon dioxide will cause cardiac arrest and can lead to death. According to human rights organizations, hundreds of Gazans have died in past years as a direct result of the choking Israeli blockade. Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights has called for an international investigation into what it described as a new Israeli crime. |
“Israel is known for its crimes against Palestinian patients and the health sectors for many years and we all know that it has been doing experiments on Palestinian prisoners,” Samer Mousa of al-Dameer told Press TV.
“So the switching of medical gas does not come as surprise for us. We are calling on the World Health Organization and the Red Cross to make a thorough investigation into this case,” he added.
“So the switching of medical gas does not come as surprise for us. We are calling on the World Health Organization and the Red Cross to make a thorough investigation into this case,” he added.
24 may 2013
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza accused the Israeli occupation authorities of trying to poison Palestinian patients as they discovered that cylinders imported from Israel which were supposed to contain Nitrous Oxide (N2O) actually contained Carbon Dioxide Gas (CO2). Palestinian Health Minister, Mofeed al-Mokhalalati, affirmed that doctors at Shefaa hospital managed to avert a disaster when patients were affected by the gas.
He had commissioned a group of experts to investigate the incident. The committee confirmed that Israel put Carbon Dioxide Gas (CO2) instead of Nitrous Gas, used in surgical operations as anesthetic.
Al-Mokhalalati said that Israel is being blamed for the poisoning as it is the sole source of nitrous gas brought to Gaza hospitals due to the six-year siege imposed by Israel.
The Health Minister stated that the ministry sent a letter to the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross demanding an urgent investigation of the poisoning of Palestinian patients.
He had commissioned a group of experts to investigate the incident. The committee confirmed that Israel put Carbon Dioxide Gas (CO2) instead of Nitrous Gas, used in surgical operations as anesthetic.
Al-Mokhalalati said that Israel is being blamed for the poisoning as it is the sole source of nitrous gas brought to Gaza hospitals due to the six-year siege imposed by Israel.
The Health Minister stated that the ministry sent a letter to the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross demanding an urgent investigation of the poisoning of Palestinian patients.
23 may 2013
Anesthesiologists in Gaza hospitals confirmed Wednesday that a nitrous oxide canister, bought from Israel, contained carbon monoxide and was used mistakenly.
Gaza minister of health Mufeed Mukhallalati says medics at al-Shifa Hospital had an “unprecedented case which almost killed several patients at the hospital’s main operation room.”
He added that anesthesiologists noticed that the patients’ reaction to the anesthetic gas was very dangerous. Four patients suffered severe cardiac arrest but medics managed to save the patients’ lives.
“We decided to stop all surgeries Wednesday” as a precaution, he said.
The minister added that a special committee was appointed to probe the case. Initial findings show that gas in the canister used for anesthetization was carbon monoxide instead of nitrous oxide. Carbon Monoxide is toxic to humans.
“In Gaza, we are not allowed to produce nitrous dioxide or import it except via Israel, so we are investigating how the anesthetic gas was replaced with carbon monoxide,” al-Mukhallalati said. He highlighted that his ministry notified the Red Cross and the World Health Organization about the incident.
Gaza minister of health Mufeed Mukhallalati says medics at al-Shifa Hospital had an “unprecedented case which almost killed several patients at the hospital’s main operation room.”
He added that anesthesiologists noticed that the patients’ reaction to the anesthetic gas was very dangerous. Four patients suffered severe cardiac arrest but medics managed to save the patients’ lives.
“We decided to stop all surgeries Wednesday” as a precaution, he said.
The minister added that a special committee was appointed to probe the case. Initial findings show that gas in the canister used for anesthetization was carbon monoxide instead of nitrous oxide. Carbon Monoxide is toxic to humans.
“In Gaza, we are not allowed to produce nitrous dioxide or import it except via Israel, so we are investigating how the anesthetic gas was replaced with carbon monoxide,” al-Mukhallalati said. He highlighted that his ministry notified the Red Cross and the World Health Organization about the incident.
12 may 2013
11th batch of Saudi medical aid arrives in Gaza
A new batch of Saudi medical aid arrived in the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing, within the Saudi air bridge to transport aid and medical supplies to the Strip.
Rafah crossing sources reported that the 11thSaudi convoy that includes two trucks loaded with 10 tons of medicines and medical supplies offered to the Palestinian people arrived at the coastal enclave on Saturday.
The sources confirmed that the aid has been transferred to the El-Arish airport in Egypt and from there were taken to Gaza in coordination with the Egyptian Red Crescent in North Sinai and the Palestinian Red Crescent.
The air bridge between Saudi Arabia and Egypt's El-Arish International Airport started on Monday 29 April to transfer medical supplies provided by the Kingdom to the Gaza Strip.
The airlift will continue to deliver aid to El-Arish on a one flight per day basis over 14 days. A total of 140 tons of essential medicines and medical supplies at a cost of $3 million will be delivered to Gaza.
MP Jamal Khudari, the head of the Popular Committee against the Siege, hailed in a statement on Saturday the Saudi role in supporting the Palestinian cause and the health sector in Gaza.
He has also thanked Egypt for "facilitating the delivery of Saudi aid to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing, and its role in facilitating the work of the Qatari grant for Gaza reconstruction and the delivery of the necessary equipment and materials."
The MP called for continuing to support the health sector; in order to strengthen the steadfastness of the Palestinian people.
Rafah crossing sources reported that the 11thSaudi convoy that includes two trucks loaded with 10 tons of medicines and medical supplies offered to the Palestinian people arrived at the coastal enclave on Saturday.
The sources confirmed that the aid has been transferred to the El-Arish airport in Egypt and from there were taken to Gaza in coordination with the Egyptian Red Crescent in North Sinai and the Palestinian Red Crescent.
The air bridge between Saudi Arabia and Egypt's El-Arish International Airport started on Monday 29 April to transfer medical supplies provided by the Kingdom to the Gaza Strip.
The airlift will continue to deliver aid to El-Arish on a one flight per day basis over 14 days. A total of 140 tons of essential medicines and medical supplies at a cost of $3 million will be delivered to Gaza.
MP Jamal Khudari, the head of the Popular Committee against the Siege, hailed in a statement on Saturday the Saudi role in supporting the Palestinian cause and the health sector in Gaza.
He has also thanked Egypt for "facilitating the delivery of Saudi aid to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing, and its role in facilitating the work of the Qatari grant for Gaza reconstruction and the delivery of the necessary equipment and materials."
The MP called for continuing to support the health sector; in order to strengthen the steadfastness of the Palestinian people.
7 may 2013
Jordanian aid convoy "Ansar 4" arrives in Gaza
The Jordanian aid convoy Ansar 4 arrived on Monday evening in the Gaza Strip and delivered a shipment of medical supplies to the Palestinian health ministry.
29 Jordanians from unions and political parties participated in the convoy which included cash and in-kind assistance for the health sector and other development projects.
Head of the convoy Mahmoud Abu Ghanima told a news conference in Gaza city that the medical supplies are worth $100,000 and were selected in coordination with the health ministry in Gaza.
Abu Ghanima added that the campaign would also finance 50 projects in Gaza, noting that the Jordanian lifeline committee, which organized the campaign, had already established a vocational training center and intends to raise its financial support for other projects in order to improve the economic situation in Gaza.
29 Jordanians from unions and political parties participated in the convoy which included cash and in-kind assistance for the health sector and other development projects.
Head of the convoy Mahmoud Abu Ghanima told a news conference in Gaza city that the medical supplies are worth $100,000 and were selected in coordination with the health ministry in Gaza.
Abu Ghanima added that the campaign would also finance 50 projects in Gaza, noting that the Jordanian lifeline committee, which organized the campaign, had already established a vocational training center and intends to raise its financial support for other projects in order to improve the economic situation in Gaza.
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Hospital under investigation after woman's death
By Husam Hilmi
The Ministry of Health has ordered a Tulkarem hospital to close temporarily after a woman died following a procedure performed by a doctor lacking a Palestinian medical license. Ministry spokesman Omar Nasser told Ma'an that health authorities decided to close the private Palestine Red Crescent Society Hospital in Tulkarem amid an inquiry into the death of Yara Melhem. But the hospital was still operating Monday, a Ma'an reporter observed, and officials there said they had not received any information from the ministry about a temporary closure. |
The exact cause of the woman's death hours after delivering a healthy baby has not been established, but hospital officials acknowledged that a doctor overseeing her Caesarean section lacked a Palestinian medical license.
The director of the hospital, Irfan Tanbouz, said the unnamed doctor was only licensed by a Jordanian medical board and was not authorized to perform the operation unsupervised.
The lack of a Palestinian license means the hospital can be held liable for the death, according to Saed Hanoun, the head of the health directorate in Tulkarem.
Legally, he said, citizens can sue any medical establishment that allows doctors, nurses, or healthcare providers to practice without first obtaining a Palestinian medical license.
'Where is the ministry'
The health ministry's investigation coincides with a lawsuit brought by the husband of the victim, Izzat Melham, who says he was repeatedly misled about his wife's condition as it deteriorated.
"At first the doctor told me her situation was good; then, she told me a bleeding was controlled, then she said it wasn't controlled. She once said she wanted to call her husband (a licensed doctor). They were like playing … I don't know how to describe what was going on," Melhem said.
"I asked the director of the hospital about my wife's condition and he simply said she was 100 percent. They only wanted her to leave their hospital."
He says another doctor eventually determined that removing his wife's womb might stop the bleeding, but it was too late. After she underwent the second surgery, medics asked for a unit of blood, and then another. In total, 17 units were brought to replace the lost blood, the widower says.
Only later was Melhem told there might be a need to transfer his wife to a larger hospital in Nablus, and after some hesitation she was transferred to Rafedia Hospital, where she was admitted to the ICU. That's when he discovered that the doctor who monitored his wife's delivery did not have a Palestinian license.
"Where is the ministry of health's role in monitoring doctors, and how could hospitals contract doctors who do not have a Palestinian license?" Melhem wondered.
He also accused health officials of failing to act even after his wife's death.
"My wife died four days ago, and I haven't seen a minister of health, or any official or anybody whosoever addressing the case. It is only you my colleagues and friends stirring this case," said Melham, who works as a photographer.
"If it was someone else, what would have happened to this case?"
The director of the hospital, Irfan Tanbouz, said the unnamed doctor was only licensed by a Jordanian medical board and was not authorized to perform the operation unsupervised.
The lack of a Palestinian license means the hospital can be held liable for the death, according to Saed Hanoun, the head of the health directorate in Tulkarem.
Legally, he said, citizens can sue any medical establishment that allows doctors, nurses, or healthcare providers to practice without first obtaining a Palestinian medical license.
'Where is the ministry'
The health ministry's investigation coincides with a lawsuit brought by the husband of the victim, Izzat Melham, who says he was repeatedly misled about his wife's condition as it deteriorated.
"At first the doctor told me her situation was good; then, she told me a bleeding was controlled, then she said it wasn't controlled. She once said she wanted to call her husband (a licensed doctor). They were like playing … I don't know how to describe what was going on," Melhem said.
"I asked the director of the hospital about my wife's condition and he simply said she was 100 percent. They only wanted her to leave their hospital."
He says another doctor eventually determined that removing his wife's womb might stop the bleeding, but it was too late. After she underwent the second surgery, medics asked for a unit of blood, and then another. In total, 17 units were brought to replace the lost blood, the widower says.
Only later was Melhem told there might be a need to transfer his wife to a larger hospital in Nablus, and after some hesitation she was transferred to Rafedia Hospital, where she was admitted to the ICU. That's when he discovered that the doctor who monitored his wife's delivery did not have a Palestinian license.
"Where is the ministry of health's role in monitoring doctors, and how could hospitals contract doctors who do not have a Palestinian license?" Melhem wondered.
He also accused health officials of failing to act even after his wife's death.
"My wife died four days ago, and I haven't seen a minister of health, or any official or anybody whosoever addressing the case. It is only you my colleagues and friends stirring this case," said Melham, who works as a photographer.
"If it was someone else, what would have happened to this case?"
5 may 2013
Israeli medical error causes a child from Gaza to lose his four limbs
Palestinian citizen from the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip revealed that due to a medical error committed by one of the Israeli hospitals, his child has lost his hands and feet.
Abu Ahed Farra, 37, told PIC's reporter that their suffering has begun when his youngest son Mohammed, who was born in August 2009, started suffering from continuous diarrhea.
He said that doctors in Gaza were unable to diagnose his illness, so they moved him to an Israeli hospital, where he remained more than eight months hospitalized.
"During this period, there has been no improvement in the health condition of Mohammed" Farra said.
He added that in June 2011 the Israeli doctors injected the child with a dose of medication after which his condition has somewhat improved.
"Days after a nurse gave the child another dose without consulting the doctor, and the child's condition quickly worsened. He entered in a coma. The doctors injected him with the anti-dote and the child woke up. However, his skin color turned into black and the examinations showed that the blood was not reaching his hands and feet," the father said.
He added that they were shocked when they received an urgent request from the hospital demanding them to approve the amputation of the child's four limbs.
The family filed a lawsuit against the Israeli hospital, and the court decided that the hospital will pay all the costs of treatment and accommodation of the child in hospital.
Mohammed Farra, who will be four years old after few months, still suffers from a difficult health condition. He has not fully recovered from his illness, and ended up losing his limbs due to a medical mistake.
Abu Ahed Farra, 37, told PIC's reporter that their suffering has begun when his youngest son Mohammed, who was born in August 2009, started suffering from continuous diarrhea.
He said that doctors in Gaza were unable to diagnose his illness, so they moved him to an Israeli hospital, where he remained more than eight months hospitalized.
"During this period, there has been no improvement in the health condition of Mohammed" Farra said.
He added that in June 2011 the Israeli doctors injected the child with a dose of medication after which his condition has somewhat improved.
"Days after a nurse gave the child another dose without consulting the doctor, and the child's condition quickly worsened. He entered in a coma. The doctors injected him with the anti-dote and the child woke up. However, his skin color turned into black and the examinations showed that the blood was not reaching his hands and feet," the father said.
He added that they were shocked when they received an urgent request from the hospital demanding them to approve the amputation of the child's four limbs.
The family filed a lawsuit against the Israeli hospital, and the court decided that the hospital will pay all the costs of treatment and accommodation of the child in hospital.
Mohammed Farra, who will be four years old after few months, still suffers from a difficult health condition. He has not fully recovered from his illness, and ended up losing his limbs due to a medical mistake.
2 may 2013
European aid convoy lands in Gaza
A European aid convoy arrived in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday evening carrying with it medical supplies and medicines.
Palestinian sources said that the convoy, grouping 30 activists from a number of European countries, entered the coastal enclave via the Rafah border crossing.
They said that the participants were bringing with them medicines and medical supplies to the health ministry in Gaza.
An official welcome ceremony was at the crossing to receive the convoy called the European Wafa convoy.
Palestinian sources said that the convoy, grouping 30 activists from a number of European countries, entered the coastal enclave via the Rafah border crossing.
They said that the participants were bringing with them medicines and medical supplies to the health ministry in Gaza.
An official welcome ceremony was at the crossing to receive the convoy called the European Wafa convoy.
30 apr 2013
Saudi medical aid lands in Gaza via Rafah terminal
Saudi medical aid shipments entered the Gaza Strip on Monday via the Rafah border terminal. Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra, the health ministry’s spokesman, said in a press conference at the crossing that his ministry had formed a special committee that headed to Cairo to coordinate entry of those supplies.
He said that the committee tabled the type of medicines urgently needed in Gaza and discussed the Saudi airlift that would carry cargoes of those supplies to Egypt and then to Gaza via land route.
Representatives of the Egyptian health ministry and Saudi finance ministry took part in coordinating the entry of the shipment into the coastal enclave, Qudra underlined.
He said that the committee tabled the type of medicines urgently needed in Gaza and discussed the Saudi airlift that would carry cargoes of those supplies to Egypt and then to Gaza via land route.
Representatives of the Egyptian health ministry and Saudi finance ministry took part in coordinating the entry of the shipment into the coastal enclave, Qudra underlined.
29 apr 2013
Italian medical delegation visits Gaza
An Italian team of plastic surgeons has visited the Gaza strip on Sunday to carry out a number of surgeries. The three day-visit came in solidarity with the people of the Gaza strip.
Dr. Andre Karubi, a consultant laparoscopic surgeon, headed the delegation that consists of 3 doctors.
He expressed his satisfaction to have conducted a number of complicated surgeries to patients in the Gaza strip, in addition to training local medical teams.
This visit is the second visit of the Italian medical delegation to the strip.
Dr. Andre Karubi, a consultant laparoscopic surgeon, headed the delegation that consists of 3 doctors.
He expressed his satisfaction to have conducted a number of complicated surgeries to patients in the Gaza strip, in addition to training local medical teams.
This visit is the second visit of the Italian medical delegation to the strip.
22 apr 2013
IOF tried to blackmail Palestinian patient at Beit Hanoun crossing
A Palestinian patient revealed that the Israeli officers tried to blackmail him at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to provide them with information about one of the resistance leaders in order to allow him to travel through the crossing for medical treatment.
Palestinian officials consider Beit Hanoun crossing which is controlled by Israeli authorities as "a trap to recruit collaborators with the occupation", and warn citizens of the dangers of falling into such a trap as part of the Palestinian campaign against collaboration in the Gaza strip.
The patient went to Beit Hanoun crossing to travel for treatment at an Israeli hospital in 1948-occupied territories, however he was surprised that the Israeli intelligence summoned him for interrogation at the crossing, Quds press quoted the patient as saying.
He was interrogated for 4 hours, where he was asked about his friend's son who lives in one of the border areas, he explained.
The Israeli intelligence asked me about two persons who came to my friend's house during my visit there a week ago, he added, showing him a video tape documenting his visit.
Since then, I realized that the Israeli occupation controls are keeping that house under surveillance using sophisticated equipment and airships at the border area, he continued.
The Israeli intelligence officers tried to bargain with him to provide them with detailed information on the two persons and on his friend's son and his relationship and in return they will allow him to travel for treatment.
The Palestinian patient, who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons, has decided to travel to Egypt for treatment in order not to be subjected to the Israeli blackmail.
He confirmed that the Israeli officers have telephoned him to pressure him to provide them with information.
Dozens of cases were subjected to the Israeli blackmail through Beit Hanoun crossing.
Palestinian officials consider Beit Hanoun crossing which is controlled by Israeli authorities as "a trap to recruit collaborators with the occupation", and warn citizens of the dangers of falling into such a trap as part of the Palestinian campaign against collaboration in the Gaza strip.
The patient went to Beit Hanoun crossing to travel for treatment at an Israeli hospital in 1948-occupied territories, however he was surprised that the Israeli intelligence summoned him for interrogation at the crossing, Quds press quoted the patient as saying.
He was interrogated for 4 hours, where he was asked about his friend's son who lives in one of the border areas, he explained.
The Israeli intelligence asked me about two persons who came to my friend's house during my visit there a week ago, he added, showing him a video tape documenting his visit.
Since then, I realized that the Israeli occupation controls are keeping that house under surveillance using sophisticated equipment and airships at the border area, he continued.
The Israeli intelligence officers tried to bargain with him to provide them with detailed information on the two persons and on his friend's son and his relationship and in return they will allow him to travel for treatment.
The Palestinian patient, who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons, has decided to travel to Egypt for treatment in order not to be subjected to the Israeli blackmail.
He confirmed that the Israeli officers have telephoned him to pressure him to provide them with information.
Dozens of cases were subjected to the Israeli blackmail through Beit Hanoun crossing.
16 apr 2013
Doctors use a mobile phone for light as they treat a child critically injured during Israel’s attacks on Gaza last November.
Power cuts can affect Gaza hospitals so badly that medical operations sometimes have to be carried out under the faint light provided by doctors’ mobile phones.
Eager to improve this situation, a Gaza-based scientist has teamed up with an international group to undertake a renewable energy project for the health sector.
Its aim is to provide 168 solar panels and other equipment for Jenin Hospital in al-Shajaiyeh neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
Densely populated Haitham Ghanem, the scientist behind the project, said his team decided to focus on this site “simply because this sole hospital lies in the densely-populated al-Shajaiyeh neighborhood and serves 250,000 inhabitants, who are frequently exposed to Israeli violence from the adjacent border areas.”
Dr. Hisham Murtaja, deputy-chief of the hospital, said that he was “very happy” that the three-story hospital had been chosen.
“We continue to suffer from the power outrage problem and sometimes we happen to carry out minor surgeries by the lights of doctors’ mobile phones,” he said. “It is true that we run a power generator here, which is too costly by the way. But still we continue to often suffer from maintenance problems, as well as the problem of providing gasoline for the power generator itself.”
The project is the result of contacts initiated a few years ago between Ghanem, a 47-year-old physics and mechanical engineering graduate living in the Beach refugee camp in Gaza City, and Barbara Capone, an Italian scientist living in Austria.
“Barbara asked me, how can we help the people of Gaza?” said Ghanem. “At first, I had no immediate answer but four days later, I came back with the answer: finding a solution for the prolonged power outages across the territory. I started searching and brainstorming until Barbara and I agreed on helping a Gaza hospital sort out the problem of electricity shortages.”
Independent Known as Sunshine4Palestine (sunshine4palestine.com), the project aims to launch in early 2014. It has a target of raising $215,000 in donations by then. Achieving this target could require much effort, as the project now has just $7,000 in its coffers.
The project will require construction of a new roof for the hospital, at an estimated cost of $38,500. By storing power harnessed from the sun in batteries, the system should be able to power the hospital throughout the day and night.
According to Capone, Jenin Hospital now consumes about 40 megawatts of electricity per year. The project, however, should double its capacity.
Perhaps more importantly, the project should mean that the hospital will become independent of Gaza’s main power plant. That plant has long relied on supplies from Israel. The siege imposed by Israel in 2006 has had adverse consequences for the supply of power, with Israel deliberately restricting the amount available.
Capone believes that solar energy could help relieve Gaza’s power problems. “In Europe such panels have increasingly become widespread and many countries, including Italy have invested a lot in such installations that are cheap and environment friendly,” she said.
“It is true that the Israeli siege of Gaza continues and would likely hinder delivery of the raw materials for the project, but we are planning to ship the materials through an Egyptian seaport then to Gaza,” she explained.
“Also, we will make sure that local staff are trained by internationals, even in Gaza itself, so we will avoid any delays on maintenance of the panels, once they are running. The plant will be made of high-quality Canadian products and will likely be sustained for 25 years.”
Editor’s note: this article has been corrected regarding the number of solar panels the project aims to install.
Rami Almeghari is a journalist and university lecturer based in the Gaza Strip.
Power cuts can affect Gaza hospitals so badly that medical operations sometimes have to be carried out under the faint light provided by doctors’ mobile phones.
Eager to improve this situation, a Gaza-based scientist has teamed up with an international group to undertake a renewable energy project for the health sector.
Its aim is to provide 168 solar panels and other equipment for Jenin Hospital in al-Shajaiyeh neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
Densely populated Haitham Ghanem, the scientist behind the project, said his team decided to focus on this site “simply because this sole hospital lies in the densely-populated al-Shajaiyeh neighborhood and serves 250,000 inhabitants, who are frequently exposed to Israeli violence from the adjacent border areas.”
Dr. Hisham Murtaja, deputy-chief of the hospital, said that he was “very happy” that the three-story hospital had been chosen.
“We continue to suffer from the power outrage problem and sometimes we happen to carry out minor surgeries by the lights of doctors’ mobile phones,” he said. “It is true that we run a power generator here, which is too costly by the way. But still we continue to often suffer from maintenance problems, as well as the problem of providing gasoline for the power generator itself.”
The project is the result of contacts initiated a few years ago between Ghanem, a 47-year-old physics and mechanical engineering graduate living in the Beach refugee camp in Gaza City, and Barbara Capone, an Italian scientist living in Austria.
“Barbara asked me, how can we help the people of Gaza?” said Ghanem. “At first, I had no immediate answer but four days later, I came back with the answer: finding a solution for the prolonged power outages across the territory. I started searching and brainstorming until Barbara and I agreed on helping a Gaza hospital sort out the problem of electricity shortages.”
Independent Known as Sunshine4Palestine (sunshine4palestine.com), the project aims to launch in early 2014. It has a target of raising $215,000 in donations by then. Achieving this target could require much effort, as the project now has just $7,000 in its coffers.
The project will require construction of a new roof for the hospital, at an estimated cost of $38,500. By storing power harnessed from the sun in batteries, the system should be able to power the hospital throughout the day and night.
According to Capone, Jenin Hospital now consumes about 40 megawatts of electricity per year. The project, however, should double its capacity.
Perhaps more importantly, the project should mean that the hospital will become independent of Gaza’s main power plant. That plant has long relied on supplies from Israel. The siege imposed by Israel in 2006 has had adverse consequences for the supply of power, with Israel deliberately restricting the amount available.
Capone believes that solar energy could help relieve Gaza’s power problems. “In Europe such panels have increasingly become widespread and many countries, including Italy have invested a lot in such installations that are cheap and environment friendly,” she said.
“It is true that the Israeli siege of Gaza continues and would likely hinder delivery of the raw materials for the project, but we are planning to ship the materials through an Egyptian seaport then to Gaza,” she explained.
“Also, we will make sure that local staff are trained by internationals, even in Gaza itself, so we will avoid any delays on maintenance of the panels, once they are running. The plant will be made of high-quality Canadian products and will likely be sustained for 25 years.”
Editor’s note: this article has been corrected regarding the number of solar panels the project aims to install.
Rami Almeghari is a journalist and university lecturer based in the Gaza Strip.
14 apr 2013
Tension in Tubas over PA procrastination to launch Turkish hospital
A state of tension prevailed in Tubas and the northern Jordan Valley over the PA negligence to provide the region with a government hospital in light of the absence of any government or private hospitals in this region.
The Turkish government, represented by Tikka institution, had built the hospital about two years ago waiting the Ramallah authority to provide it with the medical staff, local sources told PIC reporter.
The sources pointed out that several protests were organized in Tubas to pressure the PA in order to stop its procrastination policy.
The journalist Atef Abu Rab said that the people of Tubas have been waiting for long to the opening of the hospital, but each time they were anesthetized by delaying the opening under various pretexts.
A member of the Political Bureau of the People's Party Khaled Mansour told PIC reporter that Tubas is in need of greater PA concern especially that it faces Israeli settlement and ethnic cleansing.
He pointed out that about 70 thousand people live in the province, adding that most of them cannot afford to pay for private hospitals.
Fayyad's government has not fulfilled its promises to open the hospital and especially that the budget had been approved, he said.
Mansour stressed that Tubas’ people decided to grant the PA government two weeks to implement its promises otherwise they will step up their protests outside PA headquarters in Ramallah.
The Turkish government, represented by Tikka institution, had built the hospital about two years ago waiting the Ramallah authority to provide it with the medical staff, local sources told PIC reporter.
The sources pointed out that several protests were organized in Tubas to pressure the PA in order to stop its procrastination policy.
The journalist Atef Abu Rab said that the people of Tubas have been waiting for long to the opening of the hospital, but each time they were anesthetized by delaying the opening under various pretexts.
A member of the Political Bureau of the People's Party Khaled Mansour told PIC reporter that Tubas is in need of greater PA concern especially that it faces Israeli settlement and ethnic cleansing.
He pointed out that about 70 thousand people live in the province, adding that most of them cannot afford to pay for private hospitals.
Fayyad's government has not fulfilled its promises to open the hospital and especially that the budget had been approved, he said.
Mansour stressed that Tubas’ people decided to grant the PA government two weeks to implement its promises otherwise they will step up their protests outside PA headquarters in Ramallah.
10 apr 2013
Report: Kidney Patients Face Death in Gaza
Around 500 patients in the Gaza Strip suffer from kidney failure while 25% of them need kidney transplants. It is worth mentioning that Gaza strip is under siege since 2007.
Therefore, Health sector undergoes shortage of various types of medicine and equipments, Palestinian Ministry of Interior in Gaza revealed in a report.
"Kidney patients suffer from the disappearance of many medicines from clinics of health ministry, such as Mae Vortex medicine," the patient Ayman Salama said.
He explained that the cost of this drug is $ 550 per month demanding ministry of health to bring it as it helps the body to adapt with the transplanted kidneys.
"The loss of this medicine in Gaza leads us to buy it from abroad, particularly from Egypt with an estimated cost of 3,500 pounds," He continued, "The prolongation of this problem will force renal failure patients to go everyday to the hospital for dialysis again."
Salama appealed the Health ministries in Gaza and the West Bank to immediately intervene in order to provide them with treatment as soon as possible to avoid dangers on their life again .
He revealed that kidney patients have decided to sit on Monday inside the Nasser hospital and then go to the Human Rights Center to activate their cause and save their lives, explaining that the full loss of their medicine the next month will lead to the destruction of the work of their kidneys .
it's worth noting that Kidney transplant is a successful treatment option for patients with kidney failure and help the patient to exercise his life and enjoy his social activities without restrictions of washing types .
Kidney transplant for patients with failure kidney occurs by eradicating Kidney from a living donor (a relative or non-relative) or deceased brain and transplants it at the bottom of the abdominal area. The patient undergoes tests and analyzes to confirm eligibility and mental health and free from diseases which may prevent kidney transplant.
Therefore, Health sector undergoes shortage of various types of medicine and equipments, Palestinian Ministry of Interior in Gaza revealed in a report.
"Kidney patients suffer from the disappearance of many medicines from clinics of health ministry, such as Mae Vortex medicine," the patient Ayman Salama said.
He explained that the cost of this drug is $ 550 per month demanding ministry of health to bring it as it helps the body to adapt with the transplanted kidneys.
"The loss of this medicine in Gaza leads us to buy it from abroad, particularly from Egypt with an estimated cost of 3,500 pounds," He continued, "The prolongation of this problem will force renal failure patients to go everyday to the hospital for dialysis again."
Salama appealed the Health ministries in Gaza and the West Bank to immediately intervene in order to provide them with treatment as soon as possible to avoid dangers on their life again .
He revealed that kidney patients have decided to sit on Monday inside the Nasser hospital and then go to the Human Rights Center to activate their cause and save their lives, explaining that the full loss of their medicine the next month will lead to the destruction of the work of their kidneys .
it's worth noting that Kidney transplant is a successful treatment option for patients with kidney failure and help the patient to exercise his life and enjoy his social activities without restrictions of washing types .
Kidney transplant for patients with failure kidney occurs by eradicating Kidney from a living donor (a relative or non-relative) or deceased brain and transplants it at the bottom of the abdominal area. The patient undergoes tests and analyzes to confirm eligibility and mental health and free from diseases which may prevent kidney transplant.
7 apr 2013
Two-thirds of Elderly Suffer from Chronic Disease, says Statistics Bureau
Approximately 70.7% of the elderly aged 60 and over in the Palestinian Territory suffered from at least one chronic disease during 2010, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said Sunday.
The percentage was 46.5% in the Palestinian Territory in 2000. Of those, 71.6% where in the West Bank and 68.7% in the Gaza Strip, it added.
It said on the eve of the World Health Day that in 2010, 18.1% of persons aged 18 years and above are suffering from at least one chronic disease in the Palestinian Territory compared to 11.5% in 2000.
The fertility rate in the Palestinian Territory reached 4.4 births per woman in 2010, compared to 5.9 births per woman in the year 2000, said the report.
Regarding 2010 data, 22.3% of persons 18 years and above in the Palestinian Territory are reported as smokers, divided into 41.9% males and 2.3% females. The percentage was 27.5% in the Palestinian Territory in 2000.
It said that 15.1% of youth aged 15-29 in the Palestinian Territory were smokers; 28.7% of males and 0.9% of females.
Around 52.5% of married women 15-49 years of age in the Palestinian Territory use a family planning method; 55.1% in the West Bank compared to 48.2% in Gaza Strip, while the percentage was 51.4% in the Palestinian Territory in 2000.
PCBS said 0.8% of deliveries in the Palestinian Territory occurred at home or in other unsafe places; 1.2% in the West Bank compared to 0.3% in Gaza Strip. The highest rates of unsafe deliveries were reported in Tubas governorate in the West Bank at 4.3%, compared to 5.2% in 2000.
It said 16.7% of reported deliveries in the Palestinian Territory were reported as cesarean deliveries; 18.6% in the West Bank compared to 14.0% in Gaza Strip. The highest percentage of cesarean deliveries was reported in Tubas governorate with 35.5% while the lowest was in Hebron governorate with 10.4%. It was 8.8% in the Palestinian Territory in 2000.
The percentage was 46.5% in the Palestinian Territory in 2000. Of those, 71.6% where in the West Bank and 68.7% in the Gaza Strip, it added.
It said on the eve of the World Health Day that in 2010, 18.1% of persons aged 18 years and above are suffering from at least one chronic disease in the Palestinian Territory compared to 11.5% in 2000.
The fertility rate in the Palestinian Territory reached 4.4 births per woman in 2010, compared to 5.9 births per woman in the year 2000, said the report.
Regarding 2010 data, 22.3% of persons 18 years and above in the Palestinian Territory are reported as smokers, divided into 41.9% males and 2.3% females. The percentage was 27.5% in the Palestinian Territory in 2000.
It said that 15.1% of youth aged 15-29 in the Palestinian Territory were smokers; 28.7% of males and 0.9% of females.
Around 52.5% of married women 15-49 years of age in the Palestinian Territory use a family planning method; 55.1% in the West Bank compared to 48.2% in Gaza Strip, while the percentage was 51.4% in the Palestinian Territory in 2000.
PCBS said 0.8% of deliveries in the Palestinian Territory occurred at home or in other unsafe places; 1.2% in the West Bank compared to 0.3% in Gaza Strip. The highest rates of unsafe deliveries were reported in Tubas governorate in the West Bank at 4.3%, compared to 5.2% in 2000.
It said 16.7% of reported deliveries in the Palestinian Territory were reported as cesarean deliveries; 18.6% in the West Bank compared to 14.0% in Gaza Strip. The highest percentage of cesarean deliveries was reported in Tubas governorate with 35.5% while the lowest was in Hebron governorate with 10.4%. It was 8.8% in the Palestinian Territory in 2000.
10 mar 2013
Palestine Joins the European Society of Radiology
Palestinian doctor from Gaza and Irish national Dr. Ghassan Elagha has attended the The European Congress of Radiology (ECR), the annual meeting of the European Society of Radiology (ESR) which take place at the Austria Center, Vienna from March 7 – 11 2013.
Dr. Elagha is M.B.B.C.H, FRCR, President of Arab medical union in Ireland, Consultant radiologist with special interest in MRI and muscle-skeletal imaging.
On Saturday 9 2013 Dr. Elagha will join the meeting of the ArabMED administrataive members, which will held under the auspices of Dr. Tammam Kelani, vice president of Arabmed and its representatives in Austria and President of Arab Doctors and pharmacists in Vienna. The meeting will discuss the 29th Arabmed conference which will be held in October 2013 in Berlin.
Arabmed or Union Arabischer Mediziner in German is an association of Arab doctors who live and practice in various European countries. Arabmed was established and registered in Germany in 1983, is a non-profit organization that serves public purposes and focuses on medical, cultural and social activities and exchange. As an independent organization it is not subject to the influence of governments or religious authorities. It has an elected administrative body composed by a President and Vice President. The last election took place in October 2011. It has a membership as an observing NGO at the United Nations with medical and social consultative status at the Economic and Social Council since 1996.
The congress of the European Society of Radiology boasts a thorough educational programme, complemented by a fascinating technical exhibition, a scientific exhibition, the publication of scientific papers and unrivalled levels of interactivity. More than 20,000 delegates from around 100 countries and the accompanying technical exhibition host more than 300 international exhibitors across 26,000 sqm.
Dr. Elagha is M.B.B.C.H, FRCR, President of Arab medical union in Ireland, Consultant radiologist with special interest in MRI and muscle-skeletal imaging.
On Saturday 9 2013 Dr. Elagha will join the meeting of the ArabMED administrataive members, which will held under the auspices of Dr. Tammam Kelani, vice president of Arabmed and its representatives in Austria and President of Arab Doctors and pharmacists in Vienna. The meeting will discuss the 29th Arabmed conference which will be held in October 2013 in Berlin.
Arabmed or Union Arabischer Mediziner in German is an association of Arab doctors who live and practice in various European countries. Arabmed was established and registered in Germany in 1983, is a non-profit organization that serves public purposes and focuses on medical, cultural and social activities and exchange. As an independent organization it is not subject to the influence of governments or religious authorities. It has an elected administrative body composed by a President and Vice President. The last election took place in October 2011. It has a membership as an observing NGO at the United Nations with medical and social consultative status at the Economic and Social Council since 1996.
The congress of the European Society of Radiology boasts a thorough educational programme, complemented by a fascinating technical exhibition, a scientific exhibition, the publication of scientific papers and unrivalled levels of interactivity. More than 20,000 delegates from around 100 countries and the accompanying technical exhibition host more than 300 international exhibitors across 26,000 sqm.
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The five – day conference, presided this year by ESR President Prof. Gabriel P. Krestin from Rotterdam and Congress President Prof. José Ignacio Bilbao from Pamplona, will address major issues in radiology and present the latest advances in imaging in order to help delegates face current professional and economic requirements in their field.
1,400 live presentations from the ECR will be streamed in 13 separate video streams. Each stream comes with its own chat feature, so you can discuss sessions with other viewers and even ask presenters questions. It’s easy to register, simple to use, and completely free of charge. |
I made a tour at the ECR this afternoon. It gave me the impression of being more a commercial show of the manufacturers of equipment than a scientific conference. Many different X-Ray (ionising radiation) machines produced by big companies were on display, companies who of course want to sell their products.
I saw the airport backscatter X-ray scanners, the ones which we are forced to pass when accessing an airport after waiting in long lines waiting for so-called security control. The ones on display were the newest models, perhaps more expensive that the previous models, and which would cause less suffering during our travels according to the presentations.
I saw the airport backscatter X-ray scanners, the ones which we are forced to pass when accessing an airport after waiting in long lines waiting for so-called security control. The ones on display were the newest models, perhaps more expensive that the previous models, and which would cause less suffering during our travels according to the presentations.
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7 mar 2013
The Use of Radioactive Uranium in Israeli Military Operations- An International Humanitarian Law Perspective
In a recent exclusive interview with Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel, Professor Christopher Busby from the European Committee on Radiation Risk, announced the results of his research and analysis having examined air and soil samples in the Gaza Strip months after the 22 days of Israeli military operations there had ceased.
Prof. Busby is one of the most prominent and widely respected radiation experts in the world, and an accredited witness on international fora such as the UN.
In the past, he has testified on the impact of weapons used in wars in Iraq, Kosovo and Lebanon. The Israeli authorities prevented Professor Busby from entering the occupied Gaza Strip to undertake the necessary analyses, but with the help of other physicians he was able to obtain the samples he needed.
The professor said that he had obtained two items to analyze, one of which was a filter from an ambulance covered with dust, and the second was some soil from a hole created by an Israeli bomb. He stated that the analysis showed the filter to contain a degree of uranium, and that the soil sample contained a high degree of enriched uranium. Analysis also showed a high degree of zinc, chrome, and niobium in the air. This is not the first analysis carried out by Professor Busby; he also discovered a high rate of uranium in Lebanon after examining samples from the area in the wake of the Israeli aggression of July 2006.
Professor Busby said, "the real concern is that people can inhale uranium, and this can lead to diseases and health problems, including congenital deformities in children…” If there is too much uranium in the air, there is a danger of pregnant women giving birth to deformed children, the possibility of children with various types of cancer and an increasing number of cancer cases among adults. This was apparent in Iraq and among people who worked in Kosovo in areas where enriched uranium was used.
Professor Busby noted that he had faced great difficulty in finding a laboratory to do the necessary analysis of the Gazan samples, indicating that there had been a strong Israeli influence on the laboratories, to such an extent that some of those who did agree to do the analysis, refused to present the results, according to Professor Busby.
The consequences of the radiation risks posed by uranium may continue for generations. Exposure to radiation can cause genetic defects, which can put future generations at risk of cancer even if they have not been in contact with the original polluted area.
The recent Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, violated the basic rules and customs of war. Every supposedly protected group in Gaza was a target of Israeli occupation rockets and shells.
The St. Petersburg Declaration of 1868, which prohibited the use of certain kinds of explosive projectiles set out direct rules and norms to restrict the manufacturing and use of these weapons. These rules and norms became international customs, based on which the use of some weapons was prevented. Examples are the prevention of the use of poisonous gas in 1925, the use of biological weapons in 1972, and of chemical weapons in 1993. Restrictions on the use of land mines were also included in the Ottawa Convention in 1997, and at the end of 2008, states signed the Oslo Convention preventing cluster ammunitions.
In his report, Professor Busby clearly indicates that the weapons Israel used in Gaza exceeded the objective of war, which is to destroy the military might of the other party. The number of civilian victims and the destruction of non-military private and public properties all indicate that the internationally prohibited excessive use of force was used, as well as weapons which do not distinguish between military and civilian targets, causing unnecessary suffering and having long term negative impact on the health of civilians and the environment.
Paragraph "C" in rule 12 of the study prepared by the International Committee of the Red Cross on the customary International Humanitarian Law, prohibits indiscriminate attacks which have undefined impact and which Article 85 of the Additional Protocol of 1977 consider to be grave breaches. Rule 70 of the study prohibits the use of any means of war that may cause unwarranted injuries or pains. Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, considers the intentional causing of severe suffering, or the inflicting of serious harm on physical safety and health as a grave breach. Rule 45 of the study, prohibits the use of any means of war which aims to, or is expected to cause extreme, prevalent and long term harm to the natural environment. Article 55 of the Additional Protocol also prevents parties to the conflict from using weapons and methods which are expected to inflict harm on the natural environment and the health of the population or their survival.
So how can Israel justify the use of weapons containing uranium and radiation harmful to humankind…how can Israel justify the use of weapons that expose a population to radiation and maximize the potential for cancer and deformed fetuses? How can they explain that to future generations of children in Gaza whose lives will continue to be endangered?
The international community took a step forward at the end of last year, by signing the Oslo Agreement which prevents all state parties from using, producing, transferring and stockpiling cluster ammunitions and which urges the destruction of stockpiles. The Agreement also established a framework for international cooperation and assistance in achieving this objective and in the provision of sufficient care and rehabilitation for the victims of cluster bombs, the cleaning of polluted areas and to promote public education to restrict their dangers.
We hope a similar initiative will be taken to establish an international convention to prohibit the manufacture and use of radioactive weapons containing uranium or any other radiant material that cause danger to the health and safety of civilians during military operations.
Prof. Busby is one of the most prominent and widely respected radiation experts in the world, and an accredited witness on international fora such as the UN.
In the past, he has testified on the impact of weapons used in wars in Iraq, Kosovo and Lebanon. The Israeli authorities prevented Professor Busby from entering the occupied Gaza Strip to undertake the necessary analyses, but with the help of other physicians he was able to obtain the samples he needed.
The professor said that he had obtained two items to analyze, one of which was a filter from an ambulance covered with dust, and the second was some soil from a hole created by an Israeli bomb. He stated that the analysis showed the filter to contain a degree of uranium, and that the soil sample contained a high degree of enriched uranium. Analysis also showed a high degree of zinc, chrome, and niobium in the air. This is not the first analysis carried out by Professor Busby; he also discovered a high rate of uranium in Lebanon after examining samples from the area in the wake of the Israeli aggression of July 2006.
Professor Busby said, "the real concern is that people can inhale uranium, and this can lead to diseases and health problems, including congenital deformities in children…” If there is too much uranium in the air, there is a danger of pregnant women giving birth to deformed children, the possibility of children with various types of cancer and an increasing number of cancer cases among adults. This was apparent in Iraq and among people who worked in Kosovo in areas where enriched uranium was used.
Professor Busby noted that he had faced great difficulty in finding a laboratory to do the necessary analysis of the Gazan samples, indicating that there had been a strong Israeli influence on the laboratories, to such an extent that some of those who did agree to do the analysis, refused to present the results, according to Professor Busby.
The consequences of the radiation risks posed by uranium may continue for generations. Exposure to radiation can cause genetic defects, which can put future generations at risk of cancer even if they have not been in contact with the original polluted area.
The recent Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, violated the basic rules and customs of war. Every supposedly protected group in Gaza was a target of Israeli occupation rockets and shells.
The St. Petersburg Declaration of 1868, which prohibited the use of certain kinds of explosive projectiles set out direct rules and norms to restrict the manufacturing and use of these weapons. These rules and norms became international customs, based on which the use of some weapons was prevented. Examples are the prevention of the use of poisonous gas in 1925, the use of biological weapons in 1972, and of chemical weapons in 1993. Restrictions on the use of land mines were also included in the Ottawa Convention in 1997, and at the end of 2008, states signed the Oslo Convention preventing cluster ammunitions.
In his report, Professor Busby clearly indicates that the weapons Israel used in Gaza exceeded the objective of war, which is to destroy the military might of the other party. The number of civilian victims and the destruction of non-military private and public properties all indicate that the internationally prohibited excessive use of force was used, as well as weapons which do not distinguish between military and civilian targets, causing unnecessary suffering and having long term negative impact on the health of civilians and the environment.
Paragraph "C" in rule 12 of the study prepared by the International Committee of the Red Cross on the customary International Humanitarian Law, prohibits indiscriminate attacks which have undefined impact and which Article 85 of the Additional Protocol of 1977 consider to be grave breaches. Rule 70 of the study prohibits the use of any means of war that may cause unwarranted injuries or pains. Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, considers the intentional causing of severe suffering, or the inflicting of serious harm on physical safety and health as a grave breach. Rule 45 of the study, prohibits the use of any means of war which aims to, or is expected to cause extreme, prevalent and long term harm to the natural environment. Article 55 of the Additional Protocol also prevents parties to the conflict from using weapons and methods which are expected to inflict harm on the natural environment and the health of the population or their survival.
So how can Israel justify the use of weapons containing uranium and radiation harmful to humankind…how can Israel justify the use of weapons that expose a population to radiation and maximize the potential for cancer and deformed fetuses? How can they explain that to future generations of children in Gaza whose lives will continue to be endangered?
The international community took a step forward at the end of last year, by signing the Oslo Agreement which prevents all state parties from using, producing, transferring and stockpiling cluster ammunitions and which urges the destruction of stockpiles. The Agreement also established a framework for international cooperation and assistance in achieving this objective and in the provision of sufficient care and rehabilitation for the victims of cluster bombs, the cleaning of polluted areas and to promote public education to restrict their dangers.
We hope a similar initiative will be taken to establish an international convention to prohibit the manufacture and use of radioactive weapons containing uranium or any other radiant material that cause danger to the health and safety of civilians during military operations.