Episcopal Hospital in Gaza: The Facts

Ahli Arab Hospital (Episcopal). 3/9/09
Suhayleh Terazi, Director from Spartanburg, SCC. Originally from Gaza City.
Heard about our suffering at the border, strong will to come means a lot to us. Unable to go out and completely isolated from the whole world.
Situation in Gaza is very bad and suffering of people can't be described in words. Witnessed the atrocities, especially during the last "war." She could not believe that she would survive it. Living minute by minute. Angry at what happened accompanied by the silence of the whole world.
Gaza 360 sq. km. 1.5 million people, one of highest density in world. 2/3 are refugees living in camps.
Ahliarab serves Palestinian people, without discrimination. Target group is most needy. Built in 1882 by Christian Missionary Society till 1952 when followed by Southern Baptists -- 1982 and had financial crisis and sold and went to Episcopal diocese of Jerusalem. hospital is 80 beds but only 50 are in use -- surgery, pediatrics, medicine, orthopedics, urology. A small gynecology clinic. Diagnostic services -- xray and lab -- and pt for outpatients.
Another field of service -- prevention and capacity-building that is extended to personnel and local folks.
Expanded emergency services and outreach. Addressing areas of invasion and bombing -- provide free medical outpatient and inpatient care, dx(diagnosis) and rx(treatment). Increasing # of poor families -- provide most needy with food baskets and special food aid programs.
Not an easy task. Every day a new challenge. Since June 2007 -- tightened the siege on Gaza, 1.5 million prisoners, suffering from shortages of food, medicine and medical supplies and staff.
Health system in Gaza has been deteriorating with restrictions and shortages. Out of medicine in last "war", esp. anesthetics. Suffered from electricity cuts. Israel restricted fuel and quantity of electricity to Gaza already. 8-12 hours a day. With shortage of fuel, medical machines, cannot work effectively. Shortage of spare parts. Shortage of funds to replace. Applicable to every aspect of life.
Siege brought shortage of raw materials. 3,900 factories limited, 3,500 factories completely closed because unable to get raw materials or to export products. 75,000 laborers left without jobs.
Poverty -- 80% of population depends on food aid.
Because of shortages of basic goods tremendous increase in prices.
No fresh meat in Gaza. Increase in prices from 35-50%. No fresh milk. Price of flour skyhigh. Daily income per person is $1.10 down from $2.00.
Lacking access to medicines and hospital. Cannot get permit to cross for days or more.
Last "war" caused more suffering. 50,000 homeless. 5,000 injured, 1,400 killed. >55% women and children. Left people very angry about what is going on.
The same people who were running for their lives are those who were clapping for Yasser Arafat at Oslo. People do not believe in peace based on injustice.
Aid is not enough. Need people to work for peace with justice in the Holy Lands. At least 2 states built on dignity. Security of Israel will never be if neighboring people are hungry, angry and humiliated. Humiliation and isolation will bring more violence to the area. Need advocate for peace built on justice.
One of biggest problem is shortage and contamination of water. Network needs pumps and and pumps need fuel. Every day 40-50 million liters of sewage dumped into Gaza.
Now have influx of medicines. Still missing many items. Have to apply through who to get medicines.
Has small autoclave in Israel waiting for permit to come in. Shortage of anesthesiologists and cardiologists and ICU personnel. Appreciate part-timers. Arab-American Mediacl Association would like to come but can't secure passage.
During the last 2 weeks, head of churches came from Jerusalem, but didn't allow the Anglican Bishop because he has a Palestinian passport.
She has a Palestinian ID card and US passport -- cannot go to the West Bank. A prisoner.
Outreach program Tuesday and Saturday. Try to plant hope for better days to come.
During the war, took the complex cases. 15 % of the surgical patients. All lectures are open to other health providers. Are here for the community. During the first intifada Amal came here and visited. Per annum caring for 32,000 outpatients and 4800 inpatients.
First intifada 185 staff members and now 60 full-time and 60 part-time.
Provide outpatient mental health services -- medical director has found that a lot of children have psychological problems -- bedwetting, fear of going out. Call Eyad Suraj, Palestine Mental health Program to provide the services. Working with community leaders and women's groups -- send buses and bring them into the hospital for exam and treatment.
Episcopal Relief and Development. Provide money and advocacy -- preach for reconciliation, peace and justice. Arabs and Jews are brothers and sisters. This conflict should end soon.