Conclave
£9.99In a humanitarian effort, two Palestinian girls with urgent health conditions have been brought to the UK for specialized medical treatment, marking the first such case since the eruption of conflict between Hamas and Israel in October 2023. Ghena, aged five, and Rama, aged 12, were transported to the UK from Egypt over the weekend to seek treatment for conditions that cannot be adequately addressed in the war-torn Gaza region, according to Project Pure Hope (PPH).
The girls both suffer from pre-existing medical conditions that necessitate specialized care not available in Gaza, which has been overwhelmed by the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. Rama, who has a chronic bowel ailment, recounted the challenges she faced in Khan Younis, where her family home was destroyed, expressing optimism for a better future. She described the fear, living in tents with airstrikes looming overhead, and the struggle her mother faced in obtaining medical care amidst the chaos.
With a fluid build-up against her optic nerve, Ghena faces the risk of losing vision in her left eye if not promptly treated. Prior to the conflict, Ghena was receiving treatment at a specialized hospital in Gaza, where routine tests and care were accessible. However, with the destruction of the hospital early in the conflict, Ghena’s condition worsened, leading to excruciating pain and distress. Her mother hopes for her daughter’s recovery and emphasizes the need for more children in Gaza to access critical medical care.
The initiative to bring Ghena and Rama to the UK for medical treatment was made possible through collaboration between Project Pure Hope (PPH), the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), and the World Health Organization (WHO), with private funding secured for their healthcare needs. PCRF chairwoman Vivian Khalaf highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, where many children urgently require medical attention that is unavailable locally. Reports from the World Health Organization depict Gaza’s healthcare facilities as being in a state of crisis, following extensive damage during the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The conflict, triggered by a cross-border attack in October 2023, has resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction in the region, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention in addressing the healthcare needs of vulnerable populations
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