wfn.org | Jerusalem Bishop Dawani Issues Statement on Gaza, Al Ahli Arab Hospital

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Jerusalem bishop issues statement on Gaza, Al Ahli Arab Hospital

> January 08, 2009

[Episcopal News Service] The Rt. Rev. Suheil S. Dawani, Anglican 
bishop in Jerusalem, issued the following statement about the 
situation in Gaza and the Al Ahli Arab Hospital, an institution of 
the Diocese of Jerusalem that is struggling to provide critical 
health care to anyone in need.

At a time when great tragedy is occurring in the Holy Land in Gaza, I 
want to share some insight into what we are experiencing on a moment 
to moment basis. Our Diocese has one of 11 hospitals serving a 
population of 1.5 million residents in the Gaza Strip. The Al Ahli 
Arab (Anglican) Hospital has been in operation for over 100 years and 
has a very dedicated medical staff of doctors, nurses, technicians 
and general services personnel.

During the best of times they are stretched to their maximum meeting 
the medical needs of this populous community. Now, during the current 
military conflict with its heavy toll on human life and material, the 
hospital faces even greater responsibilities and challenges. The 
result is growing strain on the hospital's resources. Every day since 
the beginning of military operations, the hospital has received 20-40 
injured or wounded patients. A large proportion of them require 
hospitalization and surgery. These patients are in addition to those 
with non-conflict-related illnesses. About one-fourth of the patients 
are children.

In addition, the conflict has brought new type of medical and 
surgical conditions. For example, patients with burns and acute, 
crippling psychological trauma, are being seen more frequently. 
Because it is not possible for aid workers to enter Gaza at this 
time, the hospital's staff is working around the clock, struggling 
with the effects of exhaustion and against limited resources in a 
conflicted area of ongoing military operations.

Many medical items are needed, especially bandages and supplies for 
burns and trauma. The hospital's windows have all been blown out or 
shattered from rocket and missile concussion and cold permeates the 
entire premises. Plastic sheeting to cover the windows could 
alleviate some of the cold but is unavailable now. Food supplies are 
scant throughout the Gaza strip and maintaining patients' nutritional 
needs at the hospital has been difficult, especially for the most 
vulnerable. Some medicines and supplies for the hospital have been 
generously donated by US AID, but it has not yet been possible to 
deliver the items.

Efforts to help alleviate some of the shortages are underway and we 
hope that the shipments will arrive quickly. Through the ICRC limited 
amounts of diesel fuel are being delivered to keep the electrical 
generators functional for life saving and other essential equipment. 
We are working with a number of related governmental and 
international voluntary agencies to speed up the delivery and steady 
supply of needed medicines and food. We are also working to ensure to 
the fullest extent possible the physical safety of the Hospital staff 
and campus.

On a "normal" day, approximately 600 life line trucks a day bring 
supplies to the Gaza Strip. Many are under the auspices of UNRWA and 
international relief agencies because about two-thirds of Gaza's 
residents are Refugees and living in UNRWA Camps. During this time of 
conflict, that number of trucks is not seen in a week or more. 
Because of the reduced deliveries, medical items, nutritional food, 
and other basic supplies are now scarce items, if available at all, 
for our brothers and sisters in Gaza.

I ask you to join with me in prayer and by offering whatever 
financial support you can for our Hospital and heroic Staff of the Al 
Ahli Hospital - and other such humanitarian endeavors. Thankfully the 
Hospital plant remains intact at this time. While several among our 
Staff have suffered loss and injuries within their own families, they 
are representing all of us as a witness of God's love to all people - 
"come unto to me all you who are heavy laden and I will refresh 
you".  As we continue to pray for communal Palestinian and Israeli 
PEACE, we especially remember these dedicated individuals who cannot 
leave, but most importantly do not want to leave, but continue to do 
all they can to help.

Our Lord's imperative in St. John's Gospel during this Epiphany 
season gives each of us the new hope for a new dawn of light, life 
and communal conciliation - "I have come that you may have Life and 
have it abundantly."