Open heart surgery resumed in Gaza
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GAZA RELIEF 9
24th April 2009
The education fraternity from the whole state of Johor (south Malaysia) donated RM 383,500.00 ( USD 106,530.00 ) for the FIMA Gaza Fund.
Dr. Jeffery who spent time in Gaza received the donation on behalf of FIMA.
Below is the newspaper cutting from Harian Metro (Malaysia) Johor Edition dated 1 April 2008.
(click on image to view full size) |
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GAZA RELIEF 8
27th Jan 2009
REPORT FROM GAZA
We had the opportunity of visiting the main maternity hospital in Rafah, South Gaza, which the Mercy Malaysia team generally agreed on the idea of taking this up as a major project. Maternity services (as with most other health care services) in the whole of Gaza are extremely limited and in some areas, sub-basic.
The hospital looks good and spacious for expansion and even vertical extension. Some information on the current situation:
400-500 normal deliveries/month
70-80 LSCS/month + 20 emergency LSCS/month
10 premature deliveries/week
2-3 miscarriages/day
1 in 2000 infant mortality rate
Doctors : 18 OBGYN; 5 paediatricians, 3 anesthesiologists
1 Operation Theatre
Only 60-70% breastfed in view of maternal malnutrition and poor hygiene
Vaccinations - available at UNRWA clinics for registered mums only
Equipments are old, USS & CTG rather outdated
4 incubators and 2 overhead radiant warmers look OK
Quite a lot of abnormal babies, namely spina bifida & trisomy 21
2008 they had 5 osteogenesis imperfecta
They said they can be a center for research
But they proposed the maternity hospital in Khan Younis as a better research center since its nearer the Israeli border and documented a number of suspected radiation-related abnormalities.
The doctors are pleading for help in upgrading of training especially in latest techniques, major operations, IVF and laparoscopy; equipment included. Better option would be to get them out for a few months of training, plus experts coming over to teach.
Certainly looks very doable and promising; at least in my simple mind.
Contact person:
Dr Walid Madi
Hospital Director
0599188570
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Ma assalamah,
Dr. Azhar Abdul Aziz
Emergency Physician
Past Deputy President, MERCY Malaysia
Qatar Charitable Society
2. FROM FIMA RELIEF
Assalamu Alaikum!
Word from our partners in Egypt has recommended that we suspend all medical missions as they have enough manpower in Gaza to cope with the various casualties.
However, we will need independent observers to document the extent of destruction and atrocities caused by the Israeli invasion of Gaza including types of injuries, targeting of health personnel and health facilities, impeded access to the casualties , blockade of humanitarian aid and many other examples of war-crimes.
Secondly, we will have to engage our membership and associate partners in the reconstruction of the health services in Gaza. This will require an active collaboration between FIMA, Ministry of Health in Gaza and other relevant NGO's etc. Kindly initiate the discussion among your membership and forward your proposals to the FIMA Relief Committee for further processing.
Jazakallah Khair.
Dr. Ashraf Jedaar, FIMA Relief Coordinator
+27836754103
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Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin, President FIMA
+60123200564
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GAZA RELIEF 7
1. REPORT FROM GAZA 20 Jan 2009
Salam brothers & sisters
Sorry, unable to respond earlier
Busy schedule and electricity blackouts limiting our access to the internet
Am now with Dr. Ikram and Dr. Al-Amin of MERCY Malaysia
Managed to travel up to Gaza city and see the situation around and along the way
Got no words to describe the Zionist crimes & destruction
Can only vouch for the need to get involved in the proposed PHR's (Physicians for Human Rights) efforts below
Don't really know them but Insya Allah we stand to gain
Anyway, the Qatar medical team under the sponsorship of Qatar charity, has secured a project at al-Shahid Abu Yousef Najjar hospital in Rafah, as our 1st project
This is to further develop and expand, and provide support via equipment, medications, disposables, and on-going training
Meeting with the minister of health last night revealed 2 other areas of great needs:
1. Rehabilitation - the al-Wafa hospital. Probably the only one in Gaza city, which Dr. Jemilah and I visited in 2003, was bombed and destroyed. Now with the existing patient load (btw, Israeli snipers have the habit of shooting youngsters in the spine, leaving them paralyzed and needing life-long rehabilitation), there's plenty more added patients. Especially with the newer bombs including possible dime bombs - no shrapnel but civilians end up with bilateral lower limb amputations, and as we were briefed, even including pregnant women !
I was told that the ROTA (Reach Out To Asia) fund, initiated by the Qatar Emir's wife after the tsunami, may want to take this up, but I'm of the opinion that there'll just be so many victims requiring this elsewhere, outside gaza city
2. Mental health care is very badly needed. I am not one to overemphasize this. I am sure you can appreciate, even just by watching the news coverage. Plenty of victims and survivors and family members, of ALL ages, and this will be one very long continuous service we need to help our brethren.
I would add, though not mentioned, that maternity and child health need to be given due priority. Will elaborate later..
Please continue your prayers, efforts, and help. There is supposed to be a ceasefire but the drones have not stopped flying above our heads, both north in Gaza city and down south in Rafah, and we've been informed that there's been a strike at the beach
OK, gotta go
Ma'assalamah,
Dr. Azhar Abdul Aziz
Emergency Physician
Past Deputy President, MERCY Malaysia
Qatar Charitable Society
2. Physicians for Human Rights - Israel ( PHR )
From: Miri Weingarten [mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
]
Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2009 12:25 PM
Subject: PHR-Israel: Call for medical experts for a fact-finding mission in Gaza
Importance: High
18.1.09
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel: Call for medical experts for a fact-finding mission in Gaza
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel are seeking experts for an urgent independent fact-finding mission to travel immediately into Gaza for collection of evidence regarding:
- Causes of injuries and of deaths with relation to types of arms used
- Attacks on medical facilities and teams
- Evacuation of the wounded and the dead
- Impact of the attack on the health system
- Impact of the attack on public health issues
- Other medically-related violations
Medical experts are sought in the following fields
- Forensic medicine
- Medical response to crisis regions
- Public health
PHR-Israel will facilitate the mission, as well as coordinating meetings between experts and with medical organizations, hospitals and individuals in Gaza. Preparatory meetings will be held with West Bank experts including the Palestinian Medical Relief Society before entry into the Gaza Strip.
For details please contact Ms. Hadas Ziv, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
, Executive
Director of PHR-Israel, or Ms. Miri Weingarten, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
.
Regards,
Miri Weingarten
Director, OPT Department and International Advocacy
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel
+972 3 5133115
+972 546 995199.
RESPONSE FROM FIMA : FIMA will explore this option with our other partners in Gaza Relief and if viable will delegate an expert. We already have a professor of forensic medicine in Capetown, South Africa ( IMA South Africa ) who has volunteered his services.
3. HUMANITARIAN MEDICAL RELIEF MISSIONS
A team from Pakistan left for Cairo en route to Gaza today (21 Jan 2009) led by Prof Muhammad Iqbal (FIMA Consortium of Islamic Medical Colleges, Chairperson and Consultant Vascular Surgeon).
First team from IMA North America left New York today ( 21 Jan 2009 ) for Cairo. 8 members inclusive of a logistics expert, anaesthesiologist/critical care expert, plastic surgeon, vascular surgeon, interventional radiologist, emergency physician, ER & family physician, urologist. Virtually all with previous overseas medical relief experience. One is a lady physician. Two Canadian doctors awaiting confirmation.
Second team from IMANA is due to depart on 25 Jan 2009. |
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GAZA RELIEF 6
16th Jan 2009
Day 21 Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza - Summary of major medical relief efforts
- Gaza has been under merciless unabated bombardment via aerial, sea and land attacks since 27 December 2008.
- Currently, there are more than 1,000 deaths, 5,000 injured and 50, 000 displaced from their homes.
- Social structures namely homes, schools, mosques, hospitals, communication lines, fuel supplies have not been spared.
- The constant blockade of all borders have prevented essential supplies from crossing into Gaza resulting in a grave humanitarian crisis
- Hospitals are totally dysfunctional as a result of the following disruptions:
- No electricity: operating on generators but no fuel available
- No medical support (equipment, drugs, consumables)
- Staff overwhelmed, medical services targeted with many deaths reported
- Severe injuries often fatal due to inadequate care increasing the death toll
1. COMMUNICATIONS:
- Dr Azhar Aziz, Qatar (presently in Gaza)
- Dr M Ikram, IMA Malaysia & MERCY Malaysia (presently in Gaza)
- Dr Malik Mahmoud, Partners International Medical Aid (in Gaza)
- Dr Jemilah Mahmood, MERCY Malaysia (recently returned from 1st successful mission to Gaza)
- Dr Khaled Hanafy, AMU Egypt (Arab Medical Union)
- Dr Muneer Bursh and Dr Madhat Abbas, Ministry of Health, Gaza
- Dr Ashraf Jedaar, FIMA (South Africa); Dr Aly Misha'Al, FIMA (Jordan), Dr Musa Mohd. Nordin, FIMA (Malaysia)
2. FIRST RESPONSE:
- Doctors World Wide (IMA Turkey) - 2 trucks (43 tons) procured in Cairo, transported to Rafah border (USD 300,000) when border crossing first opened.
- MERCY Malaysia - $100,000 medical equipment, consumables and drugs (5 trucks, 50 tons) delivered to MOH Gaza upon border opening. Another $100,000 consignment procured in Cairo for delivery.
- MER-C Indonesia - sent a medical team along with medical supplies since the start of conflict
- When borders opened to medical professionals, 21 doctors entered and 40 the following day.
- AMU delivered 200 units of blood, 1,000 units the following day
3. COLLECTIONS:
- Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) - USD 42, 400
- IMA South Africa - USD 60,000
- IMA Pakistan - USD 17 500
- IMA North America - pending
4. PENDING:
- Sudan relief agencies & IMA Sudan - 1 jumbo jet to Arish ( 40 tons, ambulances to be purchased in Egypt, team of surgeons and anaesthesiologists)
- Gift of the Givers & IMA South Africa - 1 jumbo jet of medical goods (74 tons) to Jordan (but we have advised against this due to border closure) + 20 doctors, nurses & paramedics
- DWW Turkey & relief agencies - 13 ambulances & surgical relief team due next week for Gaza. Total so far deployed USD 500,000.
- IMA North America - surgical team on standby
5. IMA PALESTINE:
- Operations shut down by the Palestinian Authority in West Bank
6. IMA EGYPT:
- IMA Egypt has a wide network of private hospitals and with AMU, are helping with purchases of medicines, equipments and consumables since they are familiar with the warehousing & other logistics
Our hearts and prayers are with the innocent men, women and children massacred or maimed by this vicious invasion of Gaza. All monies collected will be deposited directly with the Ministry of Health in Gaza for the procurement of the much needed medical supplies in Cairo.
"so much to do but very little time"
Jazakumullahu Khair.
Dr. Ashraf Jedaar, FIMA Relief Coordinator
+27836754103
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin, President FIMA
+60123200564
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FIMA WEBPAGE : http://www.fimaweb.net
FIMA Banking details:
JORDAN ISLAMIC BANK
Shmeisani Branch - Amman
Account # 46327
Beneficiary: Jordan Society for Islamic Medical Sciences.
Contact: Prof Aly Mishal: 00962795990054
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Swift Code: JIBAJOAM
Full No: (235860 - 235821) (001) 001 0046327 |
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GAZA RELIEF 5
15 Jan 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters
Assalamu Alaikum!
Peace be upon you
Pray that you are all well. Further confirmation from Dr. Amin Sinnokrot, IMA Palestine, that there is no passage into Gaza via the West Bank. Recent communications with Dr. Malik Mahmoud and Dr. Madhat Abbas (Director-General Crisis Management, MOH, Gaza) has confirmed safe passage via the Rafah border during the 3 hours of daily ceasefire for humanitarian agencies. Dr Madhat Abbas has specifically requested the following items:
- tents, mattresses, blankets, clothing for > 100,000 displaced citizens
- food, water, feeding formulas (infants)
- wheelchairs, calipers, crutches, splints, walking frames etc
- operating theatre outer garments, boots, gloves, masks
- human plasma
- heparin
- surgical consumables
- emergency medicines and equipment including endotracheal tubes
They have also reconfirmed the following disciplines of medical personnel:
- trauma specialists
- burn specialists
- general surgeons
- orthopaedic surgeons
- neurosurgeons
- vascular surgeons
- paediatric surgeons/specialists
- urologists
- ICU professionals (medical and nursing)
The massacre in Gaza has escalated into a genocide of all the citizens using illegal weapons including phosphorus bombs, dime bombs containing uranium and plutonium deposits causing horrific disfiguring injuries, burns and death. The death toll has now exceeded 1,000 and more than 5,000 injuries. The medical services in Gaza were starved of medical support for months preceding the invasion with a total blockade since the start. It is on the brink of total collapse sustained only by the brave but exhausted medical professionals in Gaza. Humanitarian aid has started trickling through but the situation remains a catastrophic humanitarian disaster.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, we need immediate action to assist and support our colleagues in Gaza. We have to sustain the life-saving services in the 13 hospitals of Gaza. Dr. Malik and the members in Arab Medical Union will coordinate their passage from Cairo to Rafah while Dr. Madhat will continue their escort to Shifa Hospital and other neighbouring health facilities.
Kindly coordinate your relief teams with the necessary documentation and forward details to me for final arrangement with our brothers in Egypt and Gaza. See below for more details.
Jazakumallah Khair
Dr. Ashraf Jedaar
FIMA Relief Coordinator
+27836754103
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin
President FIMA
+60123200564
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
FIMA Banking details:
JORDAN ISLAMIC BANK
Shmeisani Branch - Amman
Account # 46327
Beneficiary: Jordan Society for Islamic Medical Sciences.
Contact: Prof Aly Mishal: 00962795990054
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Swift Code: JIBAJOAM
Full No : (235860 - 235821) (001) 001 0046327 |
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GAZA RELIEF 4
07 Jan 2009
To : All Presidents of Islamic Medical Associations (IMA)
Dear Prof. Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman
President
Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia
Assalamu alaikum WBT - GAZA RELIEF
Information from the borders suggest that there is a strong possibility that the border will be open to foreign doctors very soon. The requirements are for surgeons and anesthesiologists.
FIMA, the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations has compiled a standby roster with a list of volunteers, expertise, duration available, qualifications, nationality etc. Doctors on your roll may like to volunteer their services. Kindly liaise with colleagues in the Malaysian Medical Association who might want to do similarly.
I will be in Durban, South Africa from 9-12 Jan to meet colleagues from South Africa, Pakistan, Jordan, Sudan, USA & Saudi Arabia to firm up our Gaza Relief efforts. Some of our IMA doctors are already at the Egyptian Rafah border.
Yours truly,
Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin (Malaysia)
FIMA President
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dr Ashraf Jedaar (South Africa)
FIMA Relief Coordinator
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GAZA RELIEF 3
Dear Brother Ashraf,
Assalamu alaikum.
As Doctors Worldwide (DWW) Turkey Branch (sister relief organization to Hayat Foundation) we sent cash donation, medical assistance and assessment team to Rafah border, following the Israeli air attack on Gaza.
For the last 7 days, our brothers tried to explore possibilities of transferring medical equipment & medicine to Gaza safely and transferring some of the critically wounded patients to Turkey.
Alhamdulillah, with the kind help of Arab Medical Union brothers and with the partnership of some other Turkish relief organizations like Deniz Feneri, our brothers (DWW volunteer doctors) filled two TIRs of medicine, medical equipment, consumable materials, X-ray machines etc. from Cairo which costs 300.000 USD and they arrived at Rafah border just 6 hours ago.
Currently they are waiting on trucks line at the border gate for Egyptian officers to permit transferring materials inside Gaza. We hope our brothers will transfer those emergency medical aid material over to Gaza Health Ministry personel at the gate till tomorrow inshaallah.
Besides we announced a nationwide cash donation campaign to send additional medical aid material and ambulances to Gaza during the following time period inshaallah.
We pray Allah SWT to support our brothers, sisters and children in Gaza with the help of His Malaikah, and accept our Palestinean shuheda to His Jannah for an eternal life. We beg His Divine forgiveness for our shortcomings and sins.
I will keep you updated inshaallah.
Wassalam.
Prof. M.Ihsan Karaman,MD
Istanbul, Turkey
Latest News :
Doctors Worldwide relief team handed two trucks of medical relief material over into the transit zone between Rafah border gate and Gaza strip. Gaza Health authorities will get them from transit zone and distribute inside Gaza inshaallah |
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GAZA RELIEF 2
Dear Brothers and Sisters
Assalamu Alaikum!
Recent communications with our partners on the ground, Partners International Medical Aid (PIMA), have confirmed that medical relief teams are too risky given that the border remains closed and that the Egyptian authorities are not allowing foreign doctors to treat victims in their hospitals. We have, therefore temporarily suspended the medical mission until the border is opened, the environment is safer and we have received more information from our partners (Mercy Malaysia and PIMA) and other reconnaissance teams.
However, the hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with the numerous victims of 6 days of savage attacks, many with multiple injuries, and are struggling to cope effectively. They are struggling with critical shortages of medical supplies including consumables, medicines, equipment etc. As a result of the border blockade, relief material is stockpiled at the crossing unable to find its way across.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, the most effective response to this crisis is your cash contributions! Your cash will mean the difference between life and death for many of these critically injured victims. Your cash will sustain the life-saving support of their hospitals. Your cash will bring relief to their pain and suffering and the pain and suffering of their families.
Please donate generously to the FIMA Gaza Relief Campaign by depositing your contributions in our banking account (details below).
May you be rewarded with His choicest blessings for your selfless contributions, Insha'Allah.
Jazakumallah Khairan Kathieran!
Dr Ashraf Jedaar
FIMA Relief Coordinator
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
mobile: 0836754103
Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin
FIMA President
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Banking details:
JORDAN ISLAMIC BANK
Shmeisani Branch - Amman
Account # 46327
Beneficiary: Jordan Society for Islamic Medical Sciences.
Contact: Prof Aly Mishal: 00962795990054
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Swift Code: JIBAJOAM
Full No.: (235860 - 235821) (001) 001 0046327 |
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GAZA RELIEF
Dear Brothers and Sisters
Assalamu Alaikum!
We are eternally grateful for the numerous comforts and pleasures bestowed upon us by our ever-merciful Creator! However, the Palestinian nation, especially those in Gaza, are trapped in a hell of death and destruction. With the Israeli offensive entering its 3rd day of merciless devastation of Gaza causing death to over 300 innocent men, women and children and pain, injury and suffering to over 1,500 more.
Witnesses on the ground speak of the acrid smell of blood death on the streets. Following 3 days of unrelenting airstrikes, long-range missile and heavy artillery bombardment, Israel is preparing its ground offensive to annihilate our brothers and sisters in Palestine. They, the victims, are crying for care and relief from this suffering.
Partners International Medical Aid (PIMA), a Palestinian humanitarian relief NGO working closely with the people of Gaza has identified 3 levels of intervention:
- medical equipment, emergency supplies and medicines
- generators to sustain the functioning of existing facilities
- ambulances to transport the injured to the local hospitals or across the border to Egypt
- medical relief teams consisting of emergency specialists especially surgeons (general, vascular, neuro and orthopaedic surgeons)
With regard to MEDICAL RELIEF TEAMS, PIMA will provide all the local logistic support (accommodation, subsistence and transport etc) for any individual volunteering his/her services. Please contact your local relief coordinator in your IMA to coordinate your travel arrangements which will in turn, be related to me for final management. You will be based in Egypt and operate from there.
As far as the OTHER issues are concerned, the most efficient method would be to transfer cash contributions to the relief organizations on the ground. Please coordinate a collection drive in your respective countries and deposit the money into your local account with the universal password "Gaza" identifying the intention of the contribution. The collective contribution can be deposited in the FIMA Relief account (details below) or the PIMA account (details to follow). All forms of contributions accepted: Lillah, Sadakah, Zakaah, even your unwanted interest!
May Allah (SWT) guide us all in the right direction and reward all with HIS mercy, compassion and choicest blessings, Insha'Allah! Remember: change will only come with collective and informed action!
Jazakum Allah Khaira
Ashraf Jedaar
FIMA Relief Coordinator
Musa Mohd. Nordin
FIMA President
Banking details:
JORDAN ISLAMIC BANK
Shmeisani Branch - Amman
Account # 46327
Beneficiary: Jordan Society for Islamic Medical Sciences.
Contact: Prof Aly Mishal: 00962795990054
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Swift Code: JIBAJOAM
Full No.: (235860 - 235821) (001) 001 0046327
