To support the struggling healthcare system in Gaza, the Palestinian Doctors Association in Europe – UK Branch continues to sponsor two specialized medical centres in the region. One of these is the Al-Jalaa Specialized Medical center, based at the Patient Care Charity Center.
This initiative is part of our broader project of mobile clinics and medical points, now exceeding 16 locations, aimed at delivering specialized care amidst a severe shortage of doctors and medical supplies in the besieged strip.
We continue to support the Al-Jalaa Specialized Medical Point in Gaza as part of our mission to deliver critical care despite the dire shortage of specialists and equipment.
We extend our gratitude to all donors, especially those from our branches in the UK, Turkey, Denmark, France, and Sweden.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services for expecting mothers in the Gaza Strip, the “Safe Natural vaginal Birth“ project has been officially launched at the “Heal Palestine” field hospital in the Mawaasi Khan Younis area.
The project is sponsored byPalMed Europe – UK Branch and is being supervised and implemented by the Kuwaiti Specialist Hospital. It aims to provide a safe and healthy environment for natural childbirth while reducing pregnancy and delivery-related complications amid the ongoing humanitarian challenges facing women in the Strip.
This project represents a significant step forward in enhancing maternal and child health in Gaza in 2025.
The project aims to provide a safe environment for vaginal childbirth for expectant mothers in Gaza.
Overview of the Kuwaiti Specialist Hospital:
The Kuwaiti Specialist Hospital was established in Rafah Governorate as a charitable hospital that does not aim for profit, but rather to provide distinguished medical services to the general population, especially the at risk and poor groups, at reduced prices and around the clock. This in turn imposes huge financial burdens and an increase in operational expenses, which represents a challenge to the hospital’s ability to continue providing its services. Due to the complete destruction of the health system in the Gaza Strip, the hospital was prompted to establish a huge field hospital in Khan Yunis Governorate ” HEAL Hospital” that provides medical services to the displaced from the central and southern governorates of the Gaza Strip. Accordingly, the hospital needs to continue external support and adopt development and charitable projects to support marginalized groups. The following is an overview of the hospital’s services: Emergency and outpatient services: urology, dermatology, ophthalmology, respiratory, orthopedic, radiology, ENT, oncology, vascular surgery and diabetic foot, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology (adult), internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, pediatric surgery, pediatric cardiology, pediatric neurology, neurosurgery, neurology, psychiatry, and dental center. Two fully equipped operating rooms and around 35 surgical operations are performed daily in the following specialties: urology, general surgery, gynecological operations, caesarean sections, pediatric surgery, orthopedics, ear, nose and throat surgery, normal vaginal deliveries service, laboratory service, pharmacy service, and radiology and television imaging service.
About 300 employees work at the hospital, distributed among: specialist doctors, general doctors, pharmacists, nurses, paramedics, anesthesia and radiology technicians. This is in addition to the administrative staff, ambulance drivers, security guards, and cleaning workers.
Project Information Summary:
Project Idea:
In light of the high population density in the southern governorates of the Gaza Strip and the complete collapse of the healthcare system, the number of childbirth cases received by the Kuwaiti Specialist Field Hospital has significantly increased—particularly normal vaginal deliveries. These cases also require appropriate medical care, including the presence of qualified medical staff, well-equipped delivery rooms, maternity wards, and logistical support to ensure services are provided in a safe and dignified manner. This project aims to support the coverage of costs for 300 normal vaginal delivery/childbirth cases, representing the expected number of deliveries over a three-month period. The initiative seeks to alleviate the significant financial burden borne by families amidst the deteriorating economic conditions caused by the ongoing war, while also strengthening the hospital’s capacity to continue providing its services—especially in light of the heavy pressure resulting from the influx of emergency cases, injured individuals, and patients requiring surgical procedures and ongoing care.
Project Objectives:
Conduct normal vaginal delivery cases at the Kuwaiti Specialist Field Hospital.
Alleviate the financial burden on beneficiary families by providing childbirth services free-of-charge.
Support and strengthen the collapsing healthcare sector that has been devastated by the war.
Project Justifications:
Continued influx of normal vaginal delivery cases to the hospital, as public hospitals remain overwhelmed with emergency cases, injuries, and follow-up care for the wounded.
The shutdown of most hospitals and medical points due to the ongoing genocide, while the urgent need for childbirth services persists.
The inability of the vast majority of families to cover the costs of normal vaginal deliveries—even though relatively low—due to the dire economic conditions.
Project outcomes:
The project aims to cover the costs of 300 normal vaginal deliveries, which is the expected number over a three-month period, at the Kuwaiti Specialist Field Hospital, receiving all incoming normal vaginal delivery cases.
Project budget:
The following table outlines the budget for the Normal Vaginal Delivery Support Project at the Kuwaiti Specialist Field Hospital:
Overview of the Project for the Maintenance and Renovation of the Central Sterilisation Department at the Gaza-European Hospital.
First: Location
The Central Sterilisation Department is considered one of the critical departments at the Gaza-European Hospital. This hospital is one of the three remaining hospitals serving citizens in the southern region of the Gaza Strip, which also includes a number of displaced persons. It is the second-ranking hospital in terms of specialisations and readiness to provide services, particularly in surgeries and intensive care, in addition to outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, and similar departments.
The Central Sterilisation Department serves all specialisations throughout the hospital, most notably the 5 central operating theatres, the recovery unit with a capacity of no less than 6–8 beds, the cardiac surgery and catheterisation unit, and the neurosurgery department. It also serves the daycare rooms, adult and paediatric intensive care units, neonatal unit, and emergency departments.
Second: Project Concept and Proposed Completion Duration
The first phase of the project aims to carry out comprehensive maintenance work for the department, encompassing various deteriorated and damaged structural elements such as suspended ceilings, doors, walls, marble counters, and others. Additionally, 3 new instrument washing machines will be supplied to ensure high efficiency in washing and sanitisation.
The project is expected to be completed within a maximum of 82 days, covering all components mentioned below, with the final handover to the representative of the consortium or their delegate upon completion.
Third: Project Objectives
1. Comprehensive Maintenance: Enhancing the department’s efficiency through integrated maintenance that includes water and wastewater networks, ceilings, sanitary facilities, carpentry, and aluminium works.
2. Improvement of General Appearance, Cleanliness, Storage, Organisation, and the Level of Instrument and Environmental Sterilisation: This shall be achieved through the proposed construction works, including marble works that will involve custom-built housings for the new washers and properly protected storage containers made from materials that are easily cleanable and which contribute to elevated standards of infection control.
Fourth: Project Phases
1. Maintenance of Suspended Ceilings: Evaluation and replacement of damaged tiles to ensure the facility’s safety.
2. Maintenance of Water and Wastewater Networks: Renovation of piping systems and related bathroom fixtures.
3. Painting and Interior Design Works: Treatment and painting of walls.
4. Carpentry Works: Repair of doors and replacement of damaged ones.
5. Aluminium Works: Maintenance of aluminium doors and replacement of broken glass and similar components.
6. Marble Works: Maintenance of washbasins and department-specific cabinets, fabrication of custom storage units for the washing area, and installation of a nursing station counter.
7. Tiling Works: Maintenance of floor and wall tiles.
8. Fixture Installations: Installation of fibreglass wall panels with protective aluminium corner guards.
9. Supply of Washing Machines for the Department’s Instruments: Supply, installation, and commissioning of the machines.
Fifth: Anticipated Project Outcomes
Improved performance and work quality in the department.
Enhanced levels of infection control.
Provision of a comfortable work environment and higher standards of operation following the department’s upgrade.
Compliance with health standards: Improved service quality in accordance with local and international standards.
Sustainability of resources and equipment: Through periodic hospital maintenance.
Increased productivity and speed: Through the provision of the new machines that will facilitate operations of the relevant departments and improve the quality of sterilised materials.
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Snapshot of PalMed UK and PalMed Academy Event 9 December 2024
PalMed UK and PalMed Academy hosted an inspiring event at Nottingham Medical School titled “Stories of a Surgeon in Palestine“. The event featured Dr. Mohammad Hawari, a PalMed member and surgeon who visited Gaza during the ongoing conflict.
Dr. Hawari shared a powerful testimony about the dire medical situation in Gaza, highlighting the challenges faced by healthcare workers and patients amidst the devastation. Over 100 students and staff attended the event, attentively listening to his firsthand account of the humanitarian crisis and the efforts made by PalMed UK to support innocent civilians affected by the atrocities.
Dr. Hawari detailed PalMed’s tireless 14-month mission to provide aid and medical assistance to the people of Gaza, calling attention to the urgent need for global solidarity. He also introduced the GEM initiative, which aims to support medical students and strengthen Gaza’s healthcare system through education and innovation.
Together, we can make a difference. Help us support the people of Gaza and Palestine.
On Saturday 7 December the Scottish Palestine Health Partnership held its second annual conference at Glasgow University.
Over 100 delegates attended .
Palmed Uk and PalMed Academy was there.
PalMed was represented by Drs Eman El-Bahnasawi and Dr Vivian Badr .
Dr Bashier Oudeh ( SPHP executive ) chaired the second session of the meeting, and introduced Professor Mahmoud Loubani, who presented an update on the GEM scheme , this received a lot of interest and Prof Loubani answered a few questions after his lecture.
PalMed Academy and GEM initiative launched and conducted her very first GEM mentorship course for both students and mentors.
This morning was opened by Tareq Abdel-Jawwad who is a currently displaced fifth year medical student at Al-Azhar University in Gaza who gave us an introduction to the ongoing crisis and context under which the GEM scheme is operating with, as well as sharing his own experience as a Gazan medical student and his experience so far with GEM.
Then GEM team given a brief introduction to the GEM scheme by the CEO of GEM, Professor Mahmoud Loubani who touched on the structure of the scheme as well as the ongoing need of the GEM scheme.
The workshops on the theory and application of mentorship was delivered by Lucy Vere who has had over 20 years of experience training NHS staff and organisations during which attendees were given practical advice and basic communication tools on which can use to build and advance their mentor-mentee relationship.
In the afternoon, the lead mentorship co-officers Khansa Irfan and Dr. Elyanna Choi shared their backgrounds and motivations for participating in this scheme.
The panel saw our distinguished speakers Prof. Nidal Moukaddam, Mr. TIm Goodacre, and Dr. Riyadh Almasharqah discuss the challenges of mentorship in a hostile environment for both students and mentors, the psychological and emotional toll of mentorship in our current context, as well as stories of resilience, hope, and advice for mentors involved in the GEM mentorship scheme.
With the Participation of Leading Doctors and International Experts: PalMed Holds an Academic Conference to Support Medical Students in Gaza.
London, 23 November 2024
In light of the challenging circumstances in Gaza, PalMed Academy of PalMed Europe – the Palestinian Doctors’ Association in Europe held an academic conference on Saturday, 23 November 2024, at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. The conference was attended by international medical experts with experience in education and medical training especially in Gaza., the conference, titled “Resurrecting Medical Education in Gaza: Challenges and Solutions,” addressed the severe challenges facing Gaza’s medical education due to the blockade and destruction of healthcare and educational infrastructure.
The conference featured discussions and presentations emphasising innovation of the Gaza Educate Medics led by PalMed Academy and the role of international networks in supporting medical education in Palestine.
Dr. Hussam Adwan,Consultant Surgeon at Wirral University Hospital in the UK and conference chair, said:
“Your participation today fuels the flame of hope not only for students and faculty but for all residents of Gaza.”
Dr. Mohammed Zughbar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Al-Azhar University, delivered an opening lecture comparing medical education in Gaza before the war with its current state. He highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict on the educational system and its broader societal implications.
Dr. Riyad Masharqah, Chair of the Advisory Council of the Palestinian Doctors’ Association in Europe, praised the resilience of Gaza’s medical students and emphasised that this initiative aims to ensure their future, maintain the continuity of medical faculties, and address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals.
Professor Mahmoud Loubani, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Chair of Palmed Academy and CEO of the GEM scheme, stated: “This initiative, under the GEM program, is an investment in Gaza’s future. It ensures the continuity of medical education and the availability of qualified medical personnel to serve the community.”
Since its launch in June 2024, the initiative has enrolled over 2,101 students with the support of more than 1,000 international volunteers offering lectures and assistance through an integrated educational platform. A mentorship scheme for the students of Gaze was unveiled at the conference to commence on the 7th December 2024.
The conference highlighted the struggles faced by Gaza’s medical schools, including the destruction of infrastructure and severe shortages of educational and medical resources. Before the recent conflict, nearly 2,500 students were enrolled in medical faculties at Al-Azhar and Islamic universities.
Dr. Anwar Sheikh Khalil, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Islamic University of Gaza, remarked:
“The destruction of medical education infrastructure threatens not only students’ futures but also the entire healthcare system in Gaza.”
A Global Message of Solidarity
Prominent international figures attended the conference, including Professor Mads Gilbert, the renowned Norwegian humanitarian, and Professor Nick Maynard from Oxford as well as a host of prominent educationalists and academics.
Students from Gaza joined remotely, with Lina Abuhein discussing the daily challenges they face and their essential needs for continuing their education. Tariq Abdel Jawad, from the the GEM Students’ Engagement Committee, shared how students contributed to hospitals during the war, underscoring the hope that international support provides for their education and service to their community.
Charity Dinner
The academic day concluded with a charity dinner, where attendees raised over $150,000 to support the initiative. The main guest speaker and guest of honour at the dinner was Dr. Husam Zomlot, Palestine’s ambassador to the UK who endorsed the initiative and emphasised education as a means of resilience for Palestinians through the decades of occupation.
Palmed Academy: A Vision for Sustainable Medical Education
Founded in 2022, Palmed Academy is the educational arm of the Palestinian Doctors’ Association in Europe, aiming to enhance healthcare in Palestine through education and training. The academy collaborates with international universities and institutions to provide advanced learning materials and training programs.
Through these efforts, PalMed Academy and its partners aim to preserve medical education in Gaza as a cornerstone of Palestinian resilience amidst ongoing challenges imposed by the blockade and conflict.
Hostile Environment Surgical and Anaesthetic Training (HEST)
Surgeons and anaesthetists rapidly trained to treat trauma injuries in Gaza
PalMed UK in collaboration with the David Nott Foundation run a remarkable four-day Hostile Environment Surgical Training (HEST) course, surgeons and anaesthetists from the UK, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Qatar gathered in Bolton to learn how to treat trauma injuries in the Gaza Strip.
Organised in two weeks in collaboration with Palmed UK, 42 doctors headed for the Middle East were trained to treat complex trauma injuries incurred in the Israel-Gaza conflict. This course not only marks a significant step towards preparing medical professionals for future missions in Palestine but also reflects a shared commitment to saving lives in conflict zones.
Riyadh Al Masharqa, Plastic surgeon and CO for PalMed Europe saied:
“Thank you to the David Nott Foundation. Without them, this training would not have been possible. Together, we are organising this course to assist the people in the Gaza Strip once it is safe and travel becomes feasible. The response from numerous doctors expressing their desire to help has been overwhelming, and we are hopeful to conduct a second course in the coming weeks.”
Addressing urgent medical needs in Gaza, the course was organised in response to the pressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Palestine. According to on-the-ground partners, medical professionals are stretched to their limits and hospitals are overwhelmed.
The group included specialists in orthopaedic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatric anaesthesia, and general surgery. Some brought valuable, first-hand experience from regions affected by conflict, like Afghanistan and Syria, while others joined to grow their understanding of how to treat war wounds before heading on mission.
Dr Iman Al Mabhooh, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist consultant.
“I’m excited about expanding my skill set beyond obstetrics and gynaecology to acquire new capabilities that will benefit mothers and their infants in Gaza and the West Bank. I recognize the desperate need for assistance in this region. This course is unique as it combines obstetrics and gynaecology with trauma care. This training aims to address complex challenges comprehensively and I look forward to it.”
Our surgical HEST and anaesthesia courses were held simultaneously, demonstrating our commitment to enhancing the skills of all those striving to preserve life in the operating theatre.
Dr Douglas Philpott, Anaesthetist
“What has been great about this course is meeting people that have experienced things in the field. From the anaesthetics point of view, it’s been helpful to learn how they deal with limited resources and supplies, and we have been using airway mannequins and practicing with video scopes.”
As war continues to rage, we are working on a second surgical training course with the goal of upskilling even more frontline medical professionals. We won’t stop empowering doctors with the knowledge needed to save lives and limbs against the odds.
We Palmed Europe and UK expressing gratitude to the David Nott Foundation for orchestrating this exceptional course. We eagerly anticipate the next installment.
Hostile Environment Surgical and Anaesthetic Training (HEST)
In collaboration between the Palestinian Doctors Association and the David Nott Foundation, we aim to train and qualify more than 100 doctors who wish to contribute to providing relief to our people affected by the ravages of war in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Hostile Environment Surgical and Anaesthetic Training (HEST)
Developed and led by David Nott, this course is designed to enhance the skills of surgeons and anesthetists, better preparing them for the daily challenges they face in war zones and disaster-stricken areas. It also aims to assist doctors traveling to such regions.
The course equips doctors with the necessary skills to make rapid, critical decisions while preserving medical resources. It covers a range of surgical procedures and addresses common emergencies during disasters and wars, characterized by equipment shortages and a high volume of medical cases requiring urgent interventions to save lives.
Given that working in crisis zones often rules out cadaveric teaching, the HEST course relies on practical exercises, including suturing prosthetic organs and blood vessels, as well as demonstrations on our specially designed full-body simulator. We also simulate mass casualty scenarios, training our surgeons in the decision-making skills needed to prioritize patients and save lives.
The course focuses on cases associated with wars and disasters, ranging from gunshot and explosive injuries to violent injuries resulting from building collapses and fires. It also covers post-disaster procedures, including skin flaps and grafts, as well as the management of orthopedic fractures using external fixation and amputation cases.
During the course, doctors learn how to make decisions and manage emergency cases related to obstetrics and childbirth, including postpartum hemorrhage and cesarean sections.
The course spans a full four days, during which doctors can expect to cover the following specialties:
Primary and secondary survey, Damage control, Ballistics. Cardiothoracic trauma. Vascular surgery, Head and neck trauma, Paediatric surgery, Abdominal trauma, Orthopaedic surgery, Plastic surgery, Trauma in obstetrics and gynaecology.
