New surgical device will improve health outcomes in Gaza hospital

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund has approved a $30,000 project to help the Al Ahli Hospital (AAH) purchase a microdebrider to equip their Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department to enhance the quality and speed of nasal and sinus surgeries.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the hospital is doing its best to provide regular services. Yet the Ministry of Health has had to defer many services, including ENT procedures. There are more than 4,000 cases on the waiting list for ENT surgeries at the government hospital.

A microdebrider can be mounted on the hospital’s monitor allowing for precision cutting, a reduction of blood loss, faster surgical times, fewer instrument changes and fewer complications during surgeries. AAH’s ENT Department expects to be able to perform 400 such surgeries each year.

AAH, located in Gaza and administered by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, provides health care without discrimination on the basis of religion, gender, political affiliation or social class. PWRDF has supported the hospital with funds to purchase equipment or manage high volume in the past. This new equipment will serve the entire community and improve wait times for procedures.

AAH staff will oversee the process of selecting, tendering a big and procuring the microdebrider, according to hospital procedure. They will also arrange for the device to be delivered, installed and train staff how to use it. This will be ongoing between now and May, 2021.

AAH has 80 beds and offers pediatric, obstetrical and gynecological services, orthopedic services, ENT clinics, and urology and surgical services. It provides outpatient clinics as well as a 24-hour emergency and ambulance service. Its outpatient department supports marginalized communities in particular children and women and served approximately 42,000 patients last year.