Caring for Older Populations in Gaza

By Edith Muleiro, MedGlobal Communications Intern

By 2030 there will be 1.4 billion older people. By 2050 there will be 2.1 billion, meaning one in five people will be over 60 in low and lower-middle income countries. These numbers are rising at an exceptionally fast rate in the low and lower-middle income countries where 80% of the global older populations reside. As the world faces unprecedented numbers of people in need of humanitarian aid, the unique vulnerabilities of older populations within humanitarian crises must be prioritized.

Humanity and Impartiality are two of the four universal humanitarian principles that MedGlobal operates by. These principles work towards eliminating health disparities and inequalities which may arise, for example, through the unequal distribution of resources, including goods and services. When these disparities are combined with existing structural inequities, communities are left vulnerable and underserved, a vulnerability that is magnified in an emergency crisis. Currently, the principle of impartiality does not include age as a grounds of neglect. However, this does not negate the fact that older people are often neglected within humanitarian responses. Research gaps demonstrate a lack of attention to issues affecting older people in human rights law, conferences, and within the work of humanitarian organizations on a global scale.

One of the main factors that create vulnerability within communities is isolation, a factor that disproportionately affects older populations. Up to 1 out of 3 older people feel lonely in some countries, and this affects both their mental and physical health. Health inequities arise from isolation and loneliness when these conditions limit access to services. In Gaza, the world watched this May as an example of isolation and its detrimental effects developed. The bombardment in Gaza made aid inaccessible by making it impossible to reach areas or individuals because of destroyed infrastructure, roads, and limited means of transportation. For older populations with limited mobility, access to aid and information can be critical to survival. Older people make up around 5% of the population in Gaza.

An older male patient has his blood pressure checked by a health worker in Gaza.

One of the major barriers which humanitarian organizations face when tailoring programs and providing aid for older people is the lack of research regarding their needs in emergency contexts. Despite evidence showing that older people may be more likely to suffer in humanitarian crises from preventable causes, such as lack of information, access to transport, and other services, there are few programs with a specific focus on older populations. HelpAge, one of the few NGOs which focuses on older people, found that of 1,912 aid projects only 18 had activities that focused on the needs of older people. These gaps in information and programs lead to enhanced vulnerability of older populations.

After the May bombardment in Gaza, MedGlobal launched a robust emergency response to meet the needs of vulnerable populations. The bombardment alongside the ongoing COVID-19 crisis expanded gaps in the health sector and inhibited accessibility for all populations in Gaza. The attacks by Israel took at least 253 lives, including 66 children, and 17 older people, and injured almost 2,000. HelpAge released a statement during the May bombardment highlighting the severity of the situation for older people. During a bombardment, one’s ability to move down a flight of stairs and flee to safety may quickly determine their survival. Many lost their homes, were unable to flee, or were at risk of being exposed to COVID-19 in overcrowded shelters. A spokesperson from the El-Wedad Society, Oday Al Meghari, said, “The El-Wedad Society, as the primary organization in the Gaza Strip and Palestine looking after the needs of older people, is facing tremendous difficulties in providing protection and care in these difficult circumstances due to the lack of resources and scarcity of funding.”

“MedGlobal believes that healthcare is a right for every human being, so we are dedicated to supporting those in need and guaranteeing safe access to high-quality healthcare services. We are working tirelessly in Gaza to reach out to those who can’t access healthcare services, especially in rural and marginalized areas.”
-Alaa, MedGlobal Gaza Program Manager

For those that lived through the bombing, the inability to flee caused psychological trauma for themselves and their families. In a study conducted in August by HelpAge, 78% of participants reported feeling anxious ‘most or all of the time’ in the 2 months prior and 52% reported feeling depressed ‘most or all the time.’ The HelpAge study also found that 97% of older people in Gaza have at least one health condition and 86% have at least one disability. Older people face far greater obstacles to accessing health care than the general population due to limited mobility, the effects of the harsh economic situation, and aid oversight. Despite these vulnerabilities, 74% of older people in Gaza reported they receive no humanitarian assistance. The majority of older people and their families live in poverty and have limited to no access to medicine due to the shortages the Ministry of Health is facing. MedGlobal has prioritized the creation of a multidisciplinary, multi-sectoral, and rights-based approach to address the needs of older people and has integrated this into the Elderly Health Program. Recognition of the acute vulnerability of older populations in Gaza motivated the MedGlobal team to start a specific program based on older people’s health. We have also launched a program in Lebanon. These programs take an important first step towards prioritizing older people and building data around their needs to fill the gaps mentioned above.

An elderly woman in bed received medical care from a MedGlobal health worker in Gaza.

“Yesterday we received a call from WHO praising the importance and the necessity of the project, as no organizations are targeting this vulnerable group. Alaa and I notice this during our daily work on the ground. We observe firsthand how much support elderly people need – not only medical but also psychological. They deserve to have access to this support, it’s their human right. Here at MedGlobal, we do all we can to support them.”
– Rajaa, MedGlobal Gaza Country Representative

MedGlobal’s Elderly Health Program in Gaza is carried out through home visits, for which 1 physician, 1 nurse, and 1 psychologist has been hired. These home visits will be carried out for 400 patients, with 400 initial consultations and 800 follow-ups. These home visits will also allow the team to identify more serious cases which will be transferred to other hospitals. The team will also provide medical equipment, like walkers and sanitary and hygiene materials. Lastly, MedGlobal will improve awareness about elderly health care and preventative measures for 400 caregivers. These types of initiatives serve to meet the needs of older people in Gaza and also add to global data on older populations. In addition to the services provided for older people, the MedGlobal Gaza team also works to reach the rest of the population in Gaza with emergency health services by providing medications, medical supplies, and equipment to health facilities in Gaza. MedGlobal works alongside the Union of Health Care Committees (UHCC), MAP UK, and Union of Health Work Committees (UHWC) to improve health services for 10,000 beneficiaries.

“Elderly people are one of the most vulnerable groups in the Gaza Strip. The vast majority of them are still living under harsh circumstances as they belong to underprivileged families who are passing through food insecurity and poverty. The inaccessibility to proper healthcare is still a burden since community support is not widely available. Provision of the medication and sanitary kits make the difference as they prevent further health deterioration. Also, the psychosocial support alongside awareness sessions for the elderly and caregivers are tools to get them out of the depression trap and save their dignity and self-esteem.”
– Alaa, MedGlobal Gaza Program Manager

Gaza: Update from the Ground

May 24, 2021

After 11 days of violent hostilities, including airstrikes in Gaza that killed 248 Palestinians including 66 children, a ceasefire was reached on Thursday. However, thousands have been displaced from their homes, hospitals and health clinics have been destroyed, and more than 1,940 wounded people have little access to health care.

In an op-ed for The Guardian, our health team in Gaza described the devastation facing civilians and how the health sector is left to pick up the pieces: “Health workers tried to save as many lives as they could, though we did not have enough medicine, resources, or manpower to keep up with the rising number of injuries each day.”
Health care is more important than ever. Our health team in Gaza is working around the clock to assess the damage and greatest health needs. Help us reach those most in need in Gaza by supporting life-saving medical supplies, medications, and hygiene kits.

Health Sector in Crisis

Even before the bombardment began, over 1.6 million people were already in need of humanitarian assistance in Gaza. A longstanding blockade caused chronic shortages of medications. The recent second wave of COVID-19 added an additional burden.

During the bombardment, at least 9 hospitals and 19 primary healthcare centers were damaged in the airstrikes, 22 ambulances were damaged, and 83 health personnel injured. Two of Gaza’s most prominent doctors were killed in the airstrikes: Dr. Mooein Ahmad al-Aloul, one of the only psychiatrists & neurologists in Gaza, and Dr. Ayman Abu al-Ouf, head of the internal medicine department at Al-Shifa Hospital. We extend our deepest condolences to their families, medical colleagues, and the entire community. The loss of these two health leaders and medical specialists is immense.

Our Emergency Health Response

Over the weekend, our Gaza Program Director Raja participated in a field visit to the damaged health facilities to assess the impact of the bombardment. She visited several hospitals and health clinics, including the Al-Remal Healthcare Center, the largest primary health clinic in Gaza which houses the lab responsible for COVID-19 testing.

To support those most affected by the bombardment, MedGlobal is working to urgently provide medication, medical supplies, and hygiene kits. We are also coordinating with local medical providers to set up mobile health programs, so families can access health services in their homes. This is particularly important as so many health facilities are out of service, and road damage is obstructing access to the few hospitals that are open. We are assessing how to best support the rehabilitation of health facilities damaged in the airstrikes, so that access to health care is most widely available.

MedGlobal’s previous health work in Gaza includes support for the COVID-19 response through 722,000 PPE items to protect vulnerable health workers, critical medical supplies and medications, and a PCR machine to allow for rapid COVID-19 testing capacity. MedGlobal has also supported emergency pediatrics care, launched trainings for local nurses, and led health education campaigns to reach members of the community.

Donate to our emergency health response to support the people of Gaza.

For any media requests, please contact Kat Fallon, Director of Policy & Communications, at fallon@medglobal.org.

Field Operations Update for November 2020

Each month, MedGlobal publishes a monthly Field Operation Update, highlighting our humanitarian and health programs around the world. MedGlobal supports healthcare in Bangladesh, Colombia, Ecuador, Gaza, Greece, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, and has been contributing to the COVID-19 response in the United States. These monthly blog posts provide a snapshot of some of our most notable program updates from the past month. For more frequent updates, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Bangladesh

In collaboration with Prantic and OBAT Helpers, MedGlobal provided a major distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, and other health and hygiene equipment to health clinics in Cox’s Bazar. This medical distribution is supporting Rohingya refugees in the camps, as well as the Bangladeshi community in Cox’s Bazar town. The medical equipment included the most critically needed supplies to prevent and respond to the spread of COVID-19, including oxygen concentrators, portable ventilators, over 700 PPE sets, infrared thermometers, and more. This distribution also included 7 handwashing stands that went to the host community in Cox’s Bazar. They are stationed at various high-traffic areas, such as outside temples and public toilet spots.

Gaza

The rapid spread of COVID-19 in Gaza continued into November. In partnership with Rahma Worldwide, MedGlobal provided a shipment of 75,400 PPE items as well as sanitizing supplies to the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza in November. MedGlobal’s Gaza Program Manager Raja commented, “As COVID-19 continues to spread so rapidly in Gaza, masks and other PPE are critical to protect the few health workers available to treat those affected.”

MedGlobal also continues to support the salaries of staff in Kamal Adwan Hospital’s Pediatric ICU Department. This month, MedGlobal increased the number of staff we’re supporting to 20 doctors and nurses. This emergency pediatrics department is critical, particularly as the people in Gaza are cut off from external healthcare, and its medical staff have saved over 100 children’s lives. Gaza is home to two million Palestinians, nearly 80% of whom rely on humanitarian assistance and live in overcrowded areas with poor living conditions.

Lebanon

MedGlobal has continued its medical response in Beirut, aimed at supporting overwhelmed health facilities facing increased levels of medical need and a medication shortage in Lebanon. In partnership with Baitulmaal, MedGlobal delivered two rounds of medications to the Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, which will provide critical treatment for hundreds of patients facing emergency health issues as well as non-communicable diseases. During the distribution, our Lebanon team commented: “They have been out of stock of some of these medicines for quite some time, and they are life-saving.”

Syria

In northwest Syria, there are now between 300-500 new confirmed COVID-19 cases each day. With a health system destroyed from war, local health workers warn that a health catastrophe may be imminent. MedGlobal, alongside our partners Rahma Worldwide and Violet Organization, began the installation of two major oxygen generators: one in Idlib City and one in Darkoush, northwest Syria. These generators will help supply health facilities, especially those leading in COVID-19 treatment, with critically-needed oxygen. Health facilities in northwest Syria have been facing an increasing demand for oxygen cylinders with the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 patients who face severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing. This oxygen supply will have a lasting impact for local communities.

In addition, MedGlobal continued its distribution of 200 oxygen concentrators and 100 CPAP/ BIPAP machines in partnership with local independent NGOs throughout Syria, including to Aleppo, Damascus, Homs, Latakia, Hama, Zabadani, Bludan, and Safita. The provision of oxygen and these non-invasive ventilators are critical for people with difficulty breathing, primarily those suffering from severe COVID-19 symptoms. MedGlobal is also distributing 2,500 pulse oximeters, devices to measure the level of oxygen in your blood, which were also requested as critical based on local needs assessments.

United States

Domestically, MedGlobal is committed to supporting health facilities that focus on supporting particularly marginalized and underserved communities. These communities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 with both higher rates of infection and mortality from the virus. In November, Illinois saw a spike in COVID-19, with the daily rates consistently over 10,000 new cases and 100 deaths per day. Hospitals became increasingly stretched then. In November, MedGlobal donated an additional 1,000 PPE items to Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago to help with their COVID-19 response. Saint Anthony Hospital is a safety-net hospital that primarily treats underserved communities of immigrants, people of color, and those facing economic hardship.

Field Operations Update for October 2020

Colombia

This past month, MedGlobal extended support for two nurses working at a shelter at Tienditas Bridge on the border of Venezuela and Colombia. These nurses are providing free medical care to Venezuelans who are stuck at the border, waiting to return to Venezuela due to deteriorating conditions in Colombia. Particularly since COVID-19 reached the country, the Colombian health system has been overwhelmed and many of the 1.8 million displaced Venezuelans in the country do not have access to health services. The lockdowns and economic downturn caused by COVID-19 have also made life for migrants in Colombia increasingly difficult. Thousands of Venezuelans are now attempting to return home, but prospects for returnees, especially in terms of access to healthcare, remain grim.

Gaza

The spike of COVID-19 cases in Gaza has continued into October. MedGlobal, in partnership with Rahma Worldwide, provided 6,000 COVID-19 test kits and a shipment of medications for chronic diseases to hospitals in Gaza. This aid is crucial for supporting the fragile and under-resourced health sector that suffers from chronic shortages of medications and supplies. Testing capacity has also remained an urgent issue in Gaza, where hospitals rely on donations of testing kits from humanitarian organizations and UN agencies to meet needs. Gaza is home to two million Palestinians, nearly 80% of whom rely on humanitarian assistance and live in overcrowded areas with poor living conditions.

Lebanon

Following the devastating explosion of Beirut’s port, MedGlobal launched an emergency response in Beirut to provide support to overwhelmed health facilities facing increased levels of medical need. MedGlobal partnered with United Hands Relief and Development to provide essential medical equipment and supplies to the LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital in Beirut. The medical container included more than 55,000 medications and 20,000 pieces of equipment and supplies, including critically-need PPE to protect health staff during the pandemic. This support will help serve nearly 10,000 people in Lebanon.

Sudan

MedGlobal and the Sudanese American Physician Association (SAPA) are moving forward together to build an oxygen generator and oxygen filling station at Nyala Teaching Hospital in South Darfur. MedGlobal and SAPA will also provide 20 oxygen cylinders. The project will be managed by the South Darfur Ministry of Health which will provide long-term maintenance for the generator. This support will play a role in building the hospital’s capacity to treat patients with extreme COVID-19 symptoms or other respiratory illnesses in an extremely underserved community. MedGlobal has previously supported 8 hospitals throughout Sudan with PPE and medical equipment, but this is the first project MedGlobal has launched in the Darfur region.

Yemen

MedGlobal distributed PPE, medical supplies, and equipment to Al Mokha Isolation Center in Taiz governorate. This support follows MedGlobal’s work to establish the isolation unit which provides vital healthcare to one of the area’s most vulnerable populations. Prior to MedGlobal’s involvement, there were no functioning hospitals screening for COVID-19 in Al Mokha. All suspected and confirmed cases were referred to Aden or Taiz City, a journey of 4 to 5 hours, forcing many people with COVID-19 to remain at home as their health deteriorated. The recent distribution to Al Mokha Isolation Center included 24 beds, 19 oxygen cylinders, diagnostic equipment, thousands of items of PPE, and other requested medical supplies. In Yemen, only half of all medical facilities are fully functioning, making health support more critical than ever.

3 years ago, MedGlobal was born

By Dr. Zaher Sahloul, MedGlobal President and Co-Founder

Three years ago, I was in Yemen with three other medical volunteers, providing internal medicine and pediatrics services to people suffering from the effects of war and famine. MedGlobal had just been formed. In between medical consultations, we talked about the goals for the future of our organization, dedicated to providing innovative healthcare to crisis-affected and low-resource areas.

But I could have never predicted how many people we would reach in just three years.

In the last three years, we have:
Served more than 204,700 patients all around the world.
Provided local health facilities with more than $16.2 million in medical supplies, equipment, and assistance.
Mobilized 455 health volunteers from 26 countries to provide their skills in medical trainings and consultations for areas most in need.
Expanded our operations to serve the most vulnerable communities in 14 countries: Bangladesh, Colombia, Ecuador, Gaza, Greece, Kurdistan in Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, the United States, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Your support has made this possible.

I also never could have predicted this difficult moment in time – six months into a global pandemic, seeing record daily increases in COVID-19. Our countries of operation have been hit with new and ongoing crises: a devastating fire on Lesvos Island, Greece, just burned the Moria refugee camp to the ground; the explosion in Beirut created a new humanitarian emergency; Sudan and Bangladesh are experiencing record-breaking floods; and the protracted conflicts in Syria and Yemen have led to unthinkable suffering. We still have a lot of work to do.

Every day, however, I am inspired by you – my health colleagues, community members, and supporters from around the world. You remind me that our organization’s mission is possible: to create a world without healthcare disparity.

Your support is the reason our services and health programs have grown so quickly in just three years – imagine what we can do together in the next three. Join us in supporting critical and innovative health services.

Thank you for being part of the MedGlobal community.

In solidarity,

Dr. Zaher Sahloul
MedGlobal President and Co-Founder

Press Release: MedGlobal Calls for Foreign Medical Doctors to be Granted Licenses to Help in COVID-19 Response

Washington, DC – MedGlobal thanks Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey for signing Executive Order No. 112 which grants temporary U.S. licenses to doctors who are licensed and in good standing in foreign countries.

This Executive Order for New Jersey is a critical step in enabling foreign medical professionals to assist in the urgent and extensive response to COVID-19 in the United States. As of April 1, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported 186,101 cases and 3,603 deaths from the virus in the U.S.

MedGlobal urges all governors to authorize similar executive orders, granting temporary US medical licenses to doctors who are licensed in foreign countries.

“During times of disasters, it is expected that policy makers modify public policies in order to save more lives. Now, with the U.S. at the epicenter of this global pandemic, we are suffering from a shortage of medical professionals that may get even worse as more patients and healthcare workers get exposed to or infected with COVID-19,” said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, President of MedGlobal. “It is vital that US-based foreign doctors (IMGs) – who are able to use their skills to save lives – are granted licenses to practice medicine across the U.S. during this dangerous pandemic.”

MedGlobal provides free healthcare and life-saving medication to vulnerable communities across the world, including Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, displaced Venezuelan in Colombia, refugees in Greece, and victims of wars in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Gaza. These communities are bracing for a catastrophic COVID-19 outbreak. MedGlobal is scaling up its work during this time with an international COVID-19 response, including providing medical supplies, ventilators, medical technology for Intensive Care Units, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers in Gaza, Syria, Yemen, Bangladesh, and beyond. Our volunteers and local staff are honored to serve these communities, and we implore all U.S. governors to grant foreign doctors the ability to offer the same care and solidarity to COVID-19 patients here in the U.S.

MedGlobal‌ ‌Calls‌ ‌For‌ ‌Urgent‌ ‌COVID-19‌ ‌Response‌ ‌for‌ ‌Refugees‌ ‌and‌ ‌Displaced‌ ‌Persons‌

March 20, 2020

In the midst of the deadly global COVID-19 pandemic, MedGlobal urges immediate and urgent action to support refugees, displaced persons, and the most vulnerable communities. MedGlobal warns of the potential for a catastrophic impact of the dangerous virus on refugees and other vulnerable communities, and commits itself to adapting programs in the most effective ways to meet their needs.

“While the global health community and countries are busy with curbing the spread of COVID-19, let us not forget the refugees and the displaced,” said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, President and Co-founder of MedGlobal. “It is our humanitarian duty, and the right thing to do, to prevent catastrophic morbidity and mortality in a population that is unable to deal with the pandemic effectively.”

There are over 70 million refugees and forcibly displaced persons in the world. They will be the hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, as many are confined to cramped environments like overcrowded camps or communities in urban areas where disease can rapidly spread. The majority do not have access to basic preventive measures like clean water, soap, cleaning solutions, sufficient sanitation facilities, or the ability to social distance or self-isolate. Refugees and displaced persons are made even more vulnerable by the lack of access to testing, limited access to sufficient medical care like Intensive Care Units in case they contract COVID-19, and damaged or destroyed health infrastructure as a result of conflict. These conditions could easily facilitate the rapid spread of COVID-19, with a mortality rate predicted to be much higher than the general population.

MedGlobal provides free healthcare and life-saving medication to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, displaced Venezuelan in Colombia, and refugees in Greece, in addition to local communities in Pakistan and victims of wars in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Gaza. These communities are bracing for a catastrophic COVID-19 outbreak.

The MedGlobal team is acting with urgency to support brave frontline health workers and vulnerable communities during this COVID-19 pandemic. To date, our team has taken the following steps to adapt our operations and respond to COVID-19:

Emergency Needs Assessments: We are working with our teams and partners in Bangladesh, Colombia, Greece, Pakistan, Yemen, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria to compile emergency needs assessments to understand the current situation locally and respond in the most effective way for each setting.
Emergency Supplies and Triage Programs: Based on local needs, we are ramping up provision of medical supplies to support local health workers and communities, including soap, washing units, personal hygiene kits, and cleaning solutions; medications, ventilators, oxygen masks, and medical technology for Intensive Care Units; Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) including masks, gowns, gloves and eye shields. With top experts around the world, we are developing emergency triage programs in preparation for potential COVID-19 outbreaks.
New Prevention Measures for our Clinics: Our full-time clinics in Bangladesh and Colombia continue to function, with new infection control and prevention measures implemented in coordination with partners.
Clinical Resources: We are designing resources pertaining to COVID-19 tailored specifically to our field operations, including recommendations on infection control and prevention based on CDC, WHO and UNHCR data; clinical management of suspected cases; and emergency planning in the case of an outbreak.
Educational Online Programs: We are planning webinars and educational programs for the general public, which aim to present the potential impact COVID-19 may have on refugee communities. Our first webinar on COVID-19 is Tuesday, March 24 from 9am-11am CST.
Mental Health Response: We are designing a mental health plan in the context of COVID-19, including a webinar for all staff wellbeing on coping with the COVID-19 threat and a webinar for field staff on how to support patients’ mental health during the pandemic.

MedGlobal will continue to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized, primarily communities of refugees, displaced persons, and others facing crises. We will continue to work with brave health workers across the globe to ensure that we are able to reach and support these communities, who must not be forgotten during this global pandemic.

Join us in supporting health workers on the front lines, helping vulnerable communities preparing for COVID-19 outbreaks.

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Announcing 2020 Volunteer Missions to Gaza!

MedGlobal is returning to Gaza twice in 2020 to provide training and medical care in partnership with Rahma Worldwide. Training throughout the week will include Point of Care Ultrasound, Surgical specialties, and Advanced Life Support.

Details: 2 one week missions, Summer 2020

Nearly 1.6 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Gaza and 900,000 people in the Gaza Strip need health interventions. The healthcare sector is impeded by shortages of medical supplies and medications. This mission will build upon MedGlobal’s ongoing work in Gaza since 2019.

We are looking for medical professionals in the following areas to join the team.

Surgical Specialties:
Vascular, Plastics, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, General Medicine, Anesthesia, Interventional Radiology, and Cardiology

Trainers Certified in:
Advanced Trauma Life Support
POCUS (Point-of-care Ultrasound)

Other Specialties (including but not limited to):
Pediatrics (Heme/Onc, GI, General, Genetics), Gastroenterology, Pulmonary/Critical Care, OB-GYN

Interested in joining the team?

APPLY TODAY

Not available for this mission or have training in another specialty? Check out all of MedGlobal’s Volunteer Opportunities: medglobal.org/volunteer

For more information about MedGlobal’s work in Gaza, visit medglobal.org/gaza!

Save Lives, Give Zakat to MedGlobal before the year ends

According to Islamic scholars, Zakat, or almsgiving should be given to the most vulnerable, the needy, and displaced (al-masakeen and wayfarers).

Your Zakat helps us save lives and provide healing by supporting:

Necessary medications and medical supplies
Performing life-saving surgeries on the needy
Direct nursing or medical care
Catastrophic hospitalizations

MedGlobal is a Zakat-eligible charity organization that saves lives and provides medical relief and services to refugees and victims of disasters in 14 different countries including:

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. So far, we served 98,000 Rohingya refugees, like Hasina Begum in the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar.
Syrian refugees and victims of war in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. So far, we have provided more than $1,000,000 of much-needed assistance to patients like Abdullah, a victim of barrel bombs in Idlib.
Refugees in Greece, like Mohammad, a refugee from Afghanistan in Moria camp.
Victims of war in Gaza. So far we have provided $400,000 to Palestinian patients like Maryam, a patient with cancer in Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza city.
Victims of war in Yemen. So far we have provided more than $1,000,000 to Yemeni patients like Sabaa, a child with severe malnutrition in Al-Jawf.

Give your Zakat to MedGlobal today!

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Letter from the Palestinian American Medical Association to MedGlobal

MedGlobal and PAMA (Palestinian American Medical Association) partnered up to send a team of medical and surgical volunteers for a week-long mission to pilot a medical program in the Gaza Strip during the summer of 2019. Along with delivering critical medical equipment, surgical supplies, and medications, the team provided medical consultations, performed surgical procedures, and offered medical training to local healthcare providers. MedGlobal is looking forward to continue working with PAMA in providing health care to vulnerable populations in Palestine.

The following is a letter of gratitude MedGlobal received from PAMA.

Dear PAMA friends and family,

PAMA is proud to gain the trust of international charities like MedGlobal. Over the last few months, PAMA has received a total of $305,000 in grants from MedGlobal. These grants were used to benefit our people in Gaza, namely hemodialysis patients. The grants were also used to furnish Al-Shifa Hospital with medical and surgical supplies to help them survive the difficult times they are going through.

We also collaborated with MedGlobal in our medical mission to Gaza in the last week of June 2019. The mission was very successful, the mission members have performed high quality and complex surgeries, highly needed medical consultations, and finally hands-on ultrasound training courses.

It is your support that got us where we are today, please keep the momentum going, and we promise full transparency and genuine effort to promote health care in Palestine.

Yours Sincerely,
Majdi Hamarshi, MD, FCCP
President, PAMA

To support MedGlobal and PAMA’s work providing essential health care in Gaza, donate today!

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