Needs continue at Gaza hospital

On May 22 PWRDF issued an appeal to support the al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, which has been overwhelmed by providing medical care to people – in particular children – who have been injured and traumatized by recent violence in the region.

On June 1, the ACT Alliance issued an appeal and PWRDF responded with a $20,000 donation. This includes the more than $16,000 that has come in from our generous PWRDF donors.

The Anglican Alliance has also been advocating for funds from its members around the world to support this ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, since the United Nations Relief and Works Agency recently cut funding to the hospital. It now receives only a quarter of is previous standard reimbursement.

The ACT appeal funded a team of doctors and nurses to come from the Lutheran-run Augusta Victoria Hospital, Jerusalem. The Programs Development Director of the Diocese, Hanna Theodorie, told to the Anglican Alliance that the team came for a week and supported the medical team tending wounded Palestinians. Members of the delegation performed five plastic surgery procedures, and worked collaboratively with the AAH team and Al-Shifa Medical Complex, to strengthen the infection and control system at the hospitals.The Augusta Victoria Hospital also sent a shipment of medicine, IV fluids, paediatric equipment, disinfectants, medical goods and bandages to Ahli Hospital worth €25,000.

Theodorie told the Anglican Alliance that the hospital is hiring additional staff to respond to the massive need after the recent weeks of tension in Gaza. The Outpatient clinics continue to receive repeat cases every day for follow up treatment and dressings. It is expected that patients will require a visit every two weeks for the duration of six months before they can be referred to physiotherapy department. Three serious cases were also referred to AAH from public hospitals in Gaza, and these cases need regular observation and specialist treatment over the coming period.

“al-Ahli Arab Hospital highly appreciates the joint and continued cooperation with Augusta Victoria Hospital and looks forward to further collaboration and assistance to serve better the Gazan community at large,” says Theodorie. Appealing to partners worldwide, he said: “We are still optimistic that you will once again show your generosity during this crisis and support the ongoing emergency efforts of the Diocese of Jerusalem and the al-Ahli Arab Hospital to scale up your support to the mostly affected people of Gaza.”

Please keep the people of Gaza, those affected by the violence, and the staff of al-Ahli Arab Hospital in your prayers at this time, and pray for peace, with justice, in the Holy Land.

To spread the word in your parish or community, download and share the Gaza Hospital emergency appeal bulletin insert.

-with files from Anglican Alliance