Issues

Palestine

Medical Crisis in Palestine

Posted on Thursday May 25, 2006

Dear Friends,

On May 25, the Arab American Institute (AAI) held a conference call with Dr. Jumaa Al-Saqqa of Al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip. Members of the National Policy Council (NPC) and various aid organizations participated in the discussion about the growing humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

Notes of conference call with Dr. Jumaa Al-Saqqa of Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza City:

Dr. Jumaa Al-Saqqa said he has been a doctor at Al-Shifa Hospital for 18 years and said of the current medical crisis in the Gaza Strip: This is “the worst situation I’ve ever seen.”

Dr. Al-Saqqa listed the three largest problem areas the 600-bed hospital is presently facing:

First, the renal department, which currently has 60 patients who all require dialysis. Dr. Al-Saqqa said that five renal failure patients have died in the last six weeks due to a shortage of drugs and medical supplies such as filters, bloodlines and needles. Dr. Saqqa blames the closure of the Gaza Strip and a lack of money to buy drugs and the necessary medical supplies.

Oncology is the second area of the hospital that is severely lacking in resources. At present, chemotherapy is not offered to cancer patients in Al-Shifa. Doctors are using placebos or old drugs that are no longer in use for cancer patients. Dr. Saqqa also said the hospital is unable to offer respiratory or radio therapy to cancer patients. Some patients are diverted to hospitals in Egypt for treatment but that is not an option for many people because of the cost burden.

Third, the operation and surgery department is severely limited. Currently, no elective surgeries are being performed, and the drugs that exist now are expected to last only two weeks. Those drugs are reserved for emergency surgeries, which as Dr. Saqqa pointed out, are needed often, because of the daily violence that exists in Palestine.

“Our hospital should always be ready for emergency surgeries,” Dr. Al-Saqqa said. “We are in a very difficult situation.”

Dr. Al-Saqqa expressed his disappointment that the world has not been able to separate the political issues from the humanitarian. “We blame the U.S., the European Union, the Arabs, the Muslims – the world,” he said.

AAI President Dr. James Zogby asked whether there exists a calculation of how many fatalities are direct results of the medical shortages in the Gaza Strip. Dr. Al-Saqqa said that so far, the five renal failure patients who have died in the last six weeks are a direct result of the medical crisis.

NPC member Ashraf Hegazi asked Dr. Saqqa for specific suggestions about what Arab Americans can do to get aid to the Al-Shifa Hospital as quickly as possible. Hegazi suggested that Arab Americans speak directly with their elected officials about the dismal conditions in Palestine and possible solutions. Dr. Al-Saqqa assured all those on the conference call that if Americans want to bypass the Hamas government they can deal with the hospital directly.

“I promise you. We will bypass the government and accept the aid. They can bring aid to us.” Dr. Al-Saqqa also said that the Palestinian Minister of Health did not object to that arrangement.

NPC member Dr. Samir Abu-Ghazaleh suggested that Arab American doctors contact the Arab American Medical Association and ask that they send out an urgent appeal to their members. He also asked of AAI could send a letter to former President Jimmy Carter informing him of the Palestinians’ dire humanitarian crisis.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, a member of AAI’s Board of Governors, also asked about the condition of the pediatric department at Al-Shifa. Dr. Al-Saqqa said the hospital does not have a pediatric ward but said there is a separate hospital for children that are facing many of the same difficulties.

Dr. Zogby asked Dr. Al-Saqqa to e-mail or fax AAI a report that outlines the most urgent needs of Al-Shifa Hospital. Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh also suggested that the report be sent to ambassadors in the U.S. representing Arab countries that have relations with Israel.

Arab American Dr. Hanna Hanania asked what the biggest problem is for Palestinians: the closure of the Palestinian areas by Israel or the lack of money. Dr. Al-Saqqa said both are problems, adding: “We don’t need cash. We need drugs. The manpower is ready…but without drugs, without medical supplies, how can we see patients? Imagine our situation.”

Dr. Zogby closed the discussion with an appeal for the direct involvement of the NPC. He also said that while the aid issue is vital, he does not want the AAI to duplicate the work of aid organizations such as United Palestinian Appeal (UPA).

“We want the political issues to be addressed, and we want to challenge our government and other governments to act,” Dr. Zogby said.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh agreed to bring up the issue with the Arab American Medical Association, since he is a member.

AAI’s Executive Director Nidal Ibrahim said that the Institute would lead the effort to bring about awareness of the Palestinian humanitarian crisis through letter writing campaigns that incorporate personal messages about the dire situation, and by providing talking points to AAI members who were advised to speak with members of the media or elected officials about this issue.

Several call participants suggested that AAI draft specific proposals for its members that include possible remedies for the humanitarian crisis.

NPC member Marwan Burgan suggested that Dr. Zogby write an op-ed for The Washington Post or The New York Times and also that AAI send Dr. Al-Saqqa’s report to each House member who voted for HR 4681.