Britain aid convoy reaching Egypt
The Lancet reports malnutrition, stunted growth in children
AFP: Palestinian health system going backwards
Reuters video: Homeless Gaza civilians live in tents
Friday, March 6, 2009
Gaza Event at University of Rochester Medical Center
The Islamic Medical Association of North America Rochester Student Chapter presents, free and open to the public:
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Featurting eyewitness accounts by American Medical Mission to Gaza physicians Dr. Ismail Mehr, Dr. Rick Colwell & Dr. Imran Qureshi
Friday March 27, 2009
Class of 1962 Auditorium
URMC/Strong Memorial Hospital
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester NY
5:30-7:00PM
Co-sponsored by: PHR- Physicians for Human Rights,
MPAC-ROC Muslim Political Action Committee
For more information contact:
President, Imran_Punekar@urmc.rochester.edu
Vice President, Nurain_Fuseini@urmc.rochester.edu
IMANA-Rochester
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Featurting eyewitness accounts by American Medical Mission to Gaza physicians Dr. Ismail Mehr, Dr. Rick Colwell & Dr. Imran Qureshi
Friday March 27, 2009
Class of 1962 Auditorium
URMC/Strong Memorial Hospital
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester NY
5:30-7:00PM
Co-sponsored by: PHR- Physicians for Human Rights,
MPAC-ROC Muslim Political Action Committee
For more information contact:
President, Imran_Punekar@urmc.rochester.edu
Vice President, Nurain_Fuseini@urmc.rochester.edu
IMANA-Rochester
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Gaza Event in Brockport NY
Mercy in a War Zone
Gaza's Dilemma
In January, a group of American doctors went to Gaza to provide humanitarian relief because they felt they “had to do something.”
Please join us in welcoming the leader of the medical team,
Dr. Ismail Mehr
Dr. Mehr will share his experiences and discuss the reality of war in a way we haven’t seen it before.
Tuesday, March 24
6:30 PM
Edwards Hall Blue Room
The College at Brockport, State University of New York
Brockport NY 14420
This program is proudly sponsored by Students for Peace and Justice
Gaza's Dilemma
In January, a group of American doctors went to Gaza to provide humanitarian relief because they felt they “had to do something.”
Please join us in welcoming the leader of the medical team,
Dr. Ismail Mehr
Dr. Mehr will share his experiences and discuss the reality of war in a way we haven’t seen it before.
Tuesday, March 24
6:30 PM
Edwards Hall Blue Room
The College at Brockport, State University of New York
Brockport NY 14420
This program is proudly sponsored by Students for Peace and Justice
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Spectrum Reports on Dr. Mehr Event
Amanda Woods of The Spectrum (Buffalo NY) reports:
Benefit instills awareness of suffering in Gaza
Two people who have had extensive first-hand experiences in the turmoil-filled territory of Gaza Strip discussed the graphic scenes they witnessed at Salvatore's Italian Gardens Restaurant on Friday night in conjunction with UB's Organization of Arab Students (OAS) and the Muslim Student Association (MSA).
The event titled "A Benefit for Palestine: Shedding Light on the Atrocities in Gaza," which was co-sponsored by the Western New York Peace Center, was held with the purpose to help promote awareness and fundraise for the people suffering in the Gaza Strip.
Tamera Akarah, president of the OAS, opened the night by explaining the central purpose of the event.
"This event is not only about raising money for the people in Palestine, but also raising awareness," Akarah said.
The two speakers of the night believed that it was extremely important that all be made aware of the violence and suffering in Gaza.
Ismail Mehr, head of anesthesiology at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, N.Y. and a member of the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) spoke about his first-hand experiences working in Gaza and treating patients with severe illnesses and injuries.
There were once 13 hospitals in Gaza, two-thirds of which were destroyed during the Israeli invasion, according to Mehr. Perhaps the most severe problem that prevents Palestinian patients from receiving proper medical attention is the embargo that Israel placed on the Gaza strip.
"The embargo has caused the medical system to be choked off, so we ended up inheriting children dying of diabetes and cancer," Mehr said. "Because of the embargo, nothing goes into Gaza and nothing comes out."
Mehr pointed out that in Gaza, normal routine illnesses that could have been taken care of anywhere, even in third-world countries, were not being adequately addressed because the proper medications and supplies were not allowed into the region. During his time in Gaza, Mehr found that there was no local anesthesiologist, no monitors to provide anesthesia and no chemotherapy to treat cancer.
The medical world was not the only realm affected by the embargo, according to Mehr. He visited a partially built orphanage, but because the embargo does not allow any materials or building supplies to come in, the orphanage will probably not be completed.
Mehr was shocked to see that basic necessities were being denied entry due to the embargo.
"There is no doubt that Gaza is the world's largest open-air prison," Mehr said.
Mehr explained that one of IMANA's future goals in Gaza is the unequivocal entry of medical and humanitarian teams into the region. However, this can only be possible if the current embargo is loosened or eliminated.
"None of this is going to happen if this embargo remains in place," Mehr said.
The second speaker for the night was Laila El-Haddad, a Palestinian journalist and writer based between Gaza and the United States who reports for the al-Jazeera English web site and the Guardian Unlimited.
Israeli disengagement in Gaza does not better the situation or prevents civilians from suffering, according to El-Haddad.
"Gaza is still occupied after disengagement," El-Haddad said.
El- Haddad used the metaphor of a gerbil cage to relate what Gaza is like even after disengagement. Even if the obstacles are removed, the cage still remains.
"There is no escape and there is no entry," El-Haddad said. "There is nowhere to run to."
In addition to the talks by Mehr and El-Haddad, attendees at the event were treated to a four-course meal. They also bid on various Palestinian-made accessories and decorations during an auction at the end of the night.
People called the event eye-opening, yet enjoyable experience.
Rawey Kased, a junior media study major and member of OAS, believed that the true success of the event lied in the new awareness that many gained of the suffering in Gaza.
"This event was very successful not only because we raised a substantial amount of money for the children suffering in Gaza, but also because it promoted awareness here in America," Kased said.
Another attendee at the benefit, local resident Mehla Abdallah, emphasizes the importance of seeing through the eyes of the Gazans.
"The people need to know what is going on in Gaza. We must speak out and show our love and support," Abdallah said. "All of the money in the world that we raise will never be enough for our country, our love—Palestine."
Benefit instills awareness of suffering in Gaza
Two people who have had extensive first-hand experiences in the turmoil-filled territory of Gaza Strip discussed the graphic scenes they witnessed at Salvatore's Italian Gardens Restaurant on Friday night in conjunction with UB's Organization of Arab Students (OAS) and the Muslim Student Association (MSA).
The event titled "A Benefit for Palestine: Shedding Light on the Atrocities in Gaza," which was co-sponsored by the Western New York Peace Center, was held with the purpose to help promote awareness and fundraise for the people suffering in the Gaza Strip.
Tamera Akarah, president of the OAS, opened the night by explaining the central purpose of the event.
"This event is not only about raising money for the people in Palestine, but also raising awareness," Akarah said.
The two speakers of the night believed that it was extremely important that all be made aware of the violence and suffering in Gaza.
Ismail Mehr, head of anesthesiology at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, N.Y. and a member of the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) spoke about his first-hand experiences working in Gaza and treating patients with severe illnesses and injuries.
There were once 13 hospitals in Gaza, two-thirds of which were destroyed during the Israeli invasion, according to Mehr. Perhaps the most severe problem that prevents Palestinian patients from receiving proper medical attention is the embargo that Israel placed on the Gaza strip.
"The embargo has caused the medical system to be choked off, so we ended up inheriting children dying of diabetes and cancer," Mehr said. "Because of the embargo, nothing goes into Gaza and nothing comes out."
Mehr pointed out that in Gaza, normal routine illnesses that could have been taken care of anywhere, even in third-world countries, were not being adequately addressed because the proper medications and supplies were not allowed into the region. During his time in Gaza, Mehr found that there was no local anesthesiologist, no monitors to provide anesthesia and no chemotherapy to treat cancer.
The medical world was not the only realm affected by the embargo, according to Mehr. He visited a partially built orphanage, but because the embargo does not allow any materials or building supplies to come in, the orphanage will probably not be completed.
Mehr was shocked to see that basic necessities were being denied entry due to the embargo.
"There is no doubt that Gaza is the world's largest open-air prison," Mehr said.
Mehr explained that one of IMANA's future goals in Gaza is the unequivocal entry of medical and humanitarian teams into the region. However, this can only be possible if the current embargo is loosened or eliminated.
"None of this is going to happen if this embargo remains in place," Mehr said.
The second speaker for the night was Laila El-Haddad, a Palestinian journalist and writer based between Gaza and the United States who reports for the al-Jazeera English web site and the Guardian Unlimited.
Israeli disengagement in Gaza does not better the situation or prevents civilians from suffering, according to El-Haddad.
"Gaza is still occupied after disengagement," El-Haddad said.
El- Haddad used the metaphor of a gerbil cage to relate what Gaza is like even after disengagement. Even if the obstacles are removed, the cage still remains.
"There is no escape and there is no entry," El-Haddad said. "There is nowhere to run to."
In addition to the talks by Mehr and El-Haddad, attendees at the event were treated to a four-course meal. They also bid on various Palestinian-made accessories and decorations during an auction at the end of the night.
People called the event eye-opening, yet enjoyable experience.
Rawey Kased, a junior media study major and member of OAS, believed that the true success of the event lied in the new awareness that many gained of the suffering in Gaza.
"This event was very successful not only because we raised a substantial amount of money for the children suffering in Gaza, but also because it promoted awareness here in America," Kased said.
Another attendee at the benefit, local resident Mehla Abdallah, emphasizes the importance of seeing through the eyes of the Gazans.
"The people need to know what is going on in Gaza. We must speak out and show our love and support," Abdallah said. "All of the money in the world that we raise will never be enough for our country, our love—Palestine."
3/4/09 Coverage
UN: Aid inflow remains restricted
Donors pledge $3B to rebuild Gaza
14 truck convoy finally granted entry after 18 days of negotiations in Egypt
Article featuring Dr. Qureshi published in a variety of news organizations including Counterpunch.org, Media Monitors Network, CommonDreams.org, Online Journal, Mathaba News Network, Australia.TO, Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, Scoop Independent News (NZ), and many blogs around the world.
Donors pledge $3B to rebuild Gaza
14 truck convoy finally granted entry after 18 days of negotiations in Egypt
Article featuring Dr. Qureshi published in a variety of news organizations including Counterpunch.org, Media Monitors Network, CommonDreams.org, Online Journal, Mathaba News Network, Australia.TO, Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, Scoop Independent News (NZ), and many blogs around the world.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Naperville Radiologist Stunned by Gaza Scene
Elitsa Bizios of Naperville Community Televison, Channel 17 reports:
Dr. Imran Qureshi Tells What he Saw
Naperville radiologist Dr. Imran Qureshi normally doesn’t do without the most modern technology and sterile equipment.
But those standards looked like luxuries in war torn Gaza… the doctor returned from there last month.
With 1300 dead and thousands left homeless Radiologist and Naperville Resident Imran Qureshi says the after math of Israel’s recent military offenses are nothing short of devastating.
Qureshi was one of a team of 9 physicians that went to the Middle East to assist at Gaza’s largest hospital. He says the facility was very run down and far from medical standards we’d expect in the US. The Islamic Medical Association of North America coordinated the trip to Gaza. The nonprofit provides medical and humanitarian aid when possible.
Qureshi and his team were able to help nearly forty people. He says the experience was humbling. He is now working with doctors and congress representatives to try and get medical staff into the now sealed boarders of Gaza.
“A lot of people have never left this small patch of land about the size of Naperville and it just hits you,” Qureshi says. “These people are so isolated from the rest of the world, there’s really no one out there that’s trying to help them.
To learn more about Dr. Qureshi trip visit ammgaza.com
Dr. Imran Qureshi Tells What he Saw
Naperville radiologist Dr. Imran Qureshi normally doesn’t do without the most modern technology and sterile equipment.
But those standards looked like luxuries in war torn Gaza… the doctor returned from there last month.
With 1300 dead and thousands left homeless Radiologist and Naperville Resident Imran Qureshi says the after math of Israel’s recent military offenses are nothing short of devastating.
Qureshi was one of a team of 9 physicians that went to the Middle East to assist at Gaza’s largest hospital. He says the facility was very run down and far from medical standards we’d expect in the US. The Islamic Medical Association of North America coordinated the trip to Gaza. The nonprofit provides medical and humanitarian aid when possible.
Qureshi and his team were able to help nearly forty people. He says the experience was humbling. He is now working with doctors and congress representatives to try and get medical staff into the now sealed boarders of Gaza.
“A lot of people have never left this small patch of land about the size of Naperville and it just hits you,” Qureshi says. “These people are so isolated from the rest of the world, there’s really no one out there that’s trying to help them.
To learn more about Dr. Qureshi trip visit ammgaza.com
Monday, March 2, 2009
Global Research Article Features Dr. Imran Qureshi
Medical Mission Heroes in the Middle East War Theater
Sonia Nettnin of Global Research reports:
The Obama Administration should help war and occupation’s victims receive humanitarian assistance, and they should help the injured travel abroad for medical care. Moreover, the Obama Administration should help all medical professionals who travel to war torn areas, so they can care for the victims and train local doctors.
Recently, the Human Rights Program of the University of Chicago, Amnesty, along with Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a panel discussion of medical professionals who care for the victims of war and occupation.
The panel included: Dr. Ra-id Abdulla, a pediatric cardiologist from Rush Hospital in Chicago, who led several missions to Iraq and Palestine over ten years. As a volunteer, he screened hundreds of children, many who had life-saving, cardiac surgery; and he developed a formal, training program for Iraqi doctors in his specialty. Dr. Scott Eggener, a urologist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, is an active member of IVUMed (International Volunteers in Urology). He participated in volunteer educational and surgical missions to Cuba, Honduras, Morocco, Myanmar, Rwanda, and Palestine; Dr. Imran Qureshi, an interventional radiologist at Rush-Copley Medical Center, was one of nine, American doctors who traveled to Gaza after Israel’s “Operation Cast Lead;” and Steve Sosebee, President & CEO of Palestine Children Relief Fund. For nearly two decades his organization has sent over 800 children overseas for surgery and medical care.
“I’ve seen the slow deterioration of Gaza over the past, 20 years,” Sosebee said. He explained that the purpose of creating the PCRF was to address the humanitarian needs of kids living under occupation and not having access to adequate health care. His full-time staff identify kids who need surgery and medical treatment relief. “We’ve identified 15 kids to send outside and we can’t get them out…we can’t get Israel or Egypt to permit them outside,” he added.
In the recent invasion of Gaza, nearly 6,000 people were injured and over 1,300 people killed, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Nearly 1,900 of the injured were children and out of the more than 1,300 killed, 410 were children.
Sosebee explained that many children who experienced head and neurological injuries live with permanent, brain injuries. Also, children who lost their limbs and are in need of prosthetic limbs and rehabilitative services are confined to wheelchairs now. With permanent disabilities these children have no future because there are no rehabilitative services to provide lifelong assistance for them in Gaza.
“We’re trying to do something on a positive level,” Sosebee said. “This is a human issue…we need to use energy in a positive way…surgery, humanitarian aid is an appropriate response.”
Volunteer Medical Teams and Humanitarian Aid
Dr. Qureshi gave a visual and qualitative, slideshow presentation of his recent visit to Gaza. He showed photos of destroyed civil and residential buildings, including the rubble of the Catholic Relief Services’ medical center. Overturned cement trucks and inoperable, damaged ambulances only prolongs rebuilding the Gaza Strip.
On March 1st Human Rights Watch issued the press release: Israel/Gaza: Donors Should Press Israel to End Blockade. They explained: “International donors to Gaza's reconstruction and development should call on Israel to end its punishing blockade of the territory and to allow needed humanitarian assistance and normal commerce to resume.”
Their findings have been released one-day ahead of the high-level conference for Gaza reconstruction, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The organization emphasizes that the number of humanitarian and commercial truckloads needed to sustain the 1.5 M people living in Gaza are in-park at the border crossings. Therefore, the number of trucks allowed to cross over the border do not meet the peoples’ daily needs.
Last week the media reported the US would be donating US $900 M at tomorrow‘s international donors conference, where US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is scheduled to speak.
Is it Enough? Gaza Stripped, Occupation Remains
Out of the 1.5 M refugees living in Gaza, an estimated 100,000 are homeless. They live in a white sea of tents, with 25 people living in each tent. After surviving the recent invasion, these people struggle in cold weather. They do not have heat, electricity, running water, and few belongings.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency is supporting an estimated 700,000 Palestinians living in Gaza. In their recent report, “Quick-Response Plan to Restore Critical Services to Refugees in Gaza,” UNRWA estimates their budget needs for January through September 2009 is an estimated $346 M.
Is it enough? Qureshi showed photos of the destroyed Palestinian Ministry of Health and Agriculture buildings. As an interventional radiologist, Quereshi’s medical specialties include: biopsies, fibroid embolization, hepatobiliary intervention, as well as vascular and interventional procedures. When he worked in Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, the hospital has a capacity of 80-100 beds. Yet, there were over 400 patients in the hospital. He said the hospital lacked medical equipment and sterile supplies.
“I used tape to tape up some of the equipment,” he said, showing the slide of his repairs. Then he showed a slide of modernized, medical equipment - in typical use throughout the US or Europe. The stark contrast was obvious. Without financial, logistical and training aid, Al-Shifa Hospital does not have the resources to modernize itself.
Originally, Al Amal Orphan Society had 250 orphans. Now they have 2000 new orphans, with few funds and supplies to handle the influx of kids. A building that was under construction to be a new UN school will house the orphanage. At present, it is a bare, cement floor with pillars supporting the ceiling.
Training Local Doctors
Abdulla started going on medical missions to Iraq over ten years ago. Although there are only 42 pediatric cardiology fellowship programs in the US, he was not aware of any Arab country that had formal training for their doctors. As a result, he brought a team of Belgium cardiologists and physicians into Iraq. Together, they developed a formal training program in Iraq, along with a pediatric cardiac center. “I spent a lot of time and effort,” he added.
In 2003, the US invaded Iraq. Looters stole medical equipment from the ICUs and set fire to the hospitals. He thought all of the efforts he made over the years had gone to waste. Yet, the important training he provided the Iraqi doctors came to life. They rebuilt their centers.
“That’s when I realized the importance of the small contribution I was doing…it was the infrastructure we were able to leave behind, what we were able to teach them,” Abdulla said.
Medical professionals of diverse backgrounds have demonstrated that their volunteer surgery and medical initiatives are imperative for the people on the receiving end of war and occupation. It is up to individuals in the international community to continue making contributions that aid people in their time of need.
Political leadership’s role is to help victims rehabilitate in every way possible so they can lead normal lives.
Our children - no matter who they are or where they are from - should not be left to fend for themselves.
Sonia Nettnin is a journalist who writes about social, political, economic, and cultural issues. Her focus is the Middle East.
Sonia Nettnin of Global Research reports:
The Obama Administration should help war and occupation’s victims receive humanitarian assistance, and they should help the injured travel abroad for medical care. Moreover, the Obama Administration should help all medical professionals who travel to war torn areas, so they can care for the victims and train local doctors.
Recently, the Human Rights Program of the University of Chicago, Amnesty, along with Students for Justice in Palestine hosted a panel discussion of medical professionals who care for the victims of war and occupation.
The panel included: Dr. Ra-id Abdulla, a pediatric cardiologist from Rush Hospital in Chicago, who led several missions to Iraq and Palestine over ten years. As a volunteer, he screened hundreds of children, many who had life-saving, cardiac surgery; and he developed a formal, training program for Iraqi doctors in his specialty. Dr. Scott Eggener, a urologist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, is an active member of IVUMed (International Volunteers in Urology). He participated in volunteer educational and surgical missions to Cuba, Honduras, Morocco, Myanmar, Rwanda, and Palestine; Dr. Imran Qureshi, an interventional radiologist at Rush-Copley Medical Center, was one of nine, American doctors who traveled to Gaza after Israel’s “Operation Cast Lead;” and Steve Sosebee, President & CEO of Palestine Children Relief Fund. For nearly two decades his organization has sent over 800 children overseas for surgery and medical care.
“I’ve seen the slow deterioration of Gaza over the past, 20 years,” Sosebee said. He explained that the purpose of creating the PCRF was to address the humanitarian needs of kids living under occupation and not having access to adequate health care. His full-time staff identify kids who need surgery and medical treatment relief. “We’ve identified 15 kids to send outside and we can’t get them out…we can’t get Israel or Egypt to permit them outside,” he added.
In the recent invasion of Gaza, nearly 6,000 people were injured and over 1,300 people killed, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Nearly 1,900 of the injured were children and out of the more than 1,300 killed, 410 were children.
Sosebee explained that many children who experienced head and neurological injuries live with permanent, brain injuries. Also, children who lost their limbs and are in need of prosthetic limbs and rehabilitative services are confined to wheelchairs now. With permanent disabilities these children have no future because there are no rehabilitative services to provide lifelong assistance for them in Gaza.
“We’re trying to do something on a positive level,” Sosebee said. “This is a human issue…we need to use energy in a positive way…surgery, humanitarian aid is an appropriate response.”
Volunteer Medical Teams and Humanitarian Aid
Dr. Qureshi gave a visual and qualitative, slideshow presentation of his recent visit to Gaza. He showed photos of destroyed civil and residential buildings, including the rubble of the Catholic Relief Services’ medical center. Overturned cement trucks and inoperable, damaged ambulances only prolongs rebuilding the Gaza Strip.
On March 1st Human Rights Watch issued the press release: Israel/Gaza: Donors Should Press Israel to End Blockade. They explained: “International donors to Gaza's reconstruction and development should call on Israel to end its punishing blockade of the territory and to allow needed humanitarian assistance and normal commerce to resume.”
Their findings have been released one-day ahead of the high-level conference for Gaza reconstruction, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The organization emphasizes that the number of humanitarian and commercial truckloads needed to sustain the 1.5 M people living in Gaza are in-park at the border crossings. Therefore, the number of trucks allowed to cross over the border do not meet the peoples’ daily needs.
Last week the media reported the US would be donating US $900 M at tomorrow‘s international donors conference, where US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is scheduled to speak.
Is it Enough? Gaza Stripped, Occupation Remains
Out of the 1.5 M refugees living in Gaza, an estimated 100,000 are homeless. They live in a white sea of tents, with 25 people living in each tent. After surviving the recent invasion, these people struggle in cold weather. They do not have heat, electricity, running water, and few belongings.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency is supporting an estimated 700,000 Palestinians living in Gaza. In their recent report, “Quick-Response Plan to Restore Critical Services to Refugees in Gaza,” UNRWA estimates their budget needs for January through September 2009 is an estimated $346 M.
Is it enough? Qureshi showed photos of the destroyed Palestinian Ministry of Health and Agriculture buildings. As an interventional radiologist, Quereshi’s medical specialties include: biopsies, fibroid embolization, hepatobiliary intervention, as well as vascular and interventional procedures. When he worked in Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, the hospital has a capacity of 80-100 beds. Yet, there were over 400 patients in the hospital. He said the hospital lacked medical equipment and sterile supplies.
“I used tape to tape up some of the equipment,” he said, showing the slide of his repairs. Then he showed a slide of modernized, medical equipment - in typical use throughout the US or Europe. The stark contrast was obvious. Without financial, logistical and training aid, Al-Shifa Hospital does not have the resources to modernize itself.
Originally, Al Amal Orphan Society had 250 orphans. Now they have 2000 new orphans, with few funds and supplies to handle the influx of kids. A building that was under construction to be a new UN school will house the orphanage. At present, it is a bare, cement floor with pillars supporting the ceiling.
Training Local Doctors
Abdulla started going on medical missions to Iraq over ten years ago. Although there are only 42 pediatric cardiology fellowship programs in the US, he was not aware of any Arab country that had formal training for their doctors. As a result, he brought a team of Belgium cardiologists and physicians into Iraq. Together, they developed a formal training program in Iraq, along with a pediatric cardiac center. “I spent a lot of time and effort,” he added.
In 2003, the US invaded Iraq. Looters stole medical equipment from the ICUs and set fire to the hospitals. He thought all of the efforts he made over the years had gone to waste. Yet, the important training he provided the Iraqi doctors came to life. They rebuilt their centers.
“That’s when I realized the importance of the small contribution I was doing…it was the infrastructure we were able to leave behind, what we were able to teach them,” Abdulla said.
Medical professionals of diverse backgrounds have demonstrated that their volunteer surgery and medical initiatives are imperative for the people on the receiving end of war and occupation. It is up to individuals in the international community to continue making contributions that aid people in their time of need.
Political leadership’s role is to help victims rehabilitate in every way possible so they can lead normal lives.
Our children - no matter who they are or where they are from - should not be left to fend for themselves.
Sonia Nettnin is a journalist who writes about social, political, economic, and cultural issues. Her focus is the Middle East.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Event for Gaza Awareness in Rochester NY
Dr. Ismail Mehr
Talks about his experience with the American Medical Mission to Gaza
Brian Lenzo
Talks about American responsibility for and support of the violence in Palestine
Ryan Acuff
Talks about University of Rochester students efforts to stop University funding of war and occupation
March 6 2009
7PM
First Unitarian Church of Rochester
220 Winton Rd S
Rochester, NY 14610
Map It
Sponsored by Rochester Against War
info@rochesteragainstwar.org
Facilitated by Judith Bello
Talks about his experience with the American Medical Mission to Gaza
Brian Lenzo
Talks about American responsibility for and support of the violence in Palestine
Ryan Acuff
Talks about University of Rochester students efforts to stop University funding of war and occupation
March 6 2009
7PM
First Unitarian Church of Rochester
220 Winton Rd S
Rochester, NY 14610
Map It
Sponsored by Rochester Against War
info@rochesteragainstwar.org
Facilitated by Judith Bello
Friday, February 27, 2009
Doctor to Describe Aiding Palestinians in Gaza
Maki Becker of the Buffalo News reports:
Dr. Ismail Mehr, an anesthesiologist at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, led a team of American doctors into Gaza following Israel’s incursion into the Palestinian territory late last year.
Tonight, he is scheduled to speak at an event in Salvatore’s Italian Gardens in the Town of Lancaster to raise money for the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, which is aiding the children of Gaza.
The fundraiser is sponsored by University at Buffalo Arab Students, the UB Muslim Student Association and the Western New York Peace Center.
Mehr said his team of 11 doctors and two nonmedical personnel, many of them members of Islamic Medical Association of America, were the only Americans allowed into Gaza following Israel’s three-week offensive, which began after militants in Gaza fired rockets into southern Israel.
A veteran of treating mass casualties in major disasters, Mehr said being in Gaza was especially disturbing, not because he is a Muslim but because “the whole situation there is a man-made situation, on both sides,” referring to both Israel and the Palestinian territories.
“I’ve gone to Banda Aceh [following the 2004 tsunami], to Kashmir; those are all acts of God or acts of nature,” he said. “But when it’s a man-made conflict, as a human being, a physician, it’s really disturbing.”
Mehr, like other members of the American Medical Mission to Gaza, is adamant about keeping politics out of the work.
“We were purely apolitical— humanitarian,” he said. “We didn’t care who our patients were. You ended up consumed by the situation. We just did our work.”
Mehr’s team was in Gaza from Jan. 21 until Jan. 31.
“Most of our team dealt with trauma and infection of trauma injuries that weren’t taken care of right away,” Mehr said.
He wasn’t faulting the doctors who had been trying to care for the patients.
“When you’re having 200 people an hour coming to your emergency room — there isn’t a hospital in the U. S. that can handle that kind of volume. The injuries included burns and wounds that required amputations,” Mehr said.
Mehr said he couldn’t help but notice what he believed were the consequences of the two-year blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt on Gaza.
“What really caught us by surprise were the effects of the embargo,” he said. “We ended up taking care of people who were not just injured from the war, but were dying of cancer and chronic illnesses who couldn’t be treated because they didn’t have the medicines and didn’t have the medical expertise.”
mbecker@buffnews.com
Dr. Ismail Mehr, an anesthesiologist at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, led a team of American doctors into Gaza following Israel’s incursion into the Palestinian territory late last year.
Tonight, he is scheduled to speak at an event in Salvatore’s Italian Gardens in the Town of Lancaster to raise money for the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, which is aiding the children of Gaza.
The fundraiser is sponsored by University at Buffalo Arab Students, the UB Muslim Student Association and the Western New York Peace Center.
Mehr said his team of 11 doctors and two nonmedical personnel, many of them members of Islamic Medical Association of America, were the only Americans allowed into Gaza following Israel’s three-week offensive, which began after militants in Gaza fired rockets into southern Israel.
A veteran of treating mass casualties in major disasters, Mehr said being in Gaza was especially disturbing, not because he is a Muslim but because “the whole situation there is a man-made situation, on both sides,” referring to both Israel and the Palestinian territories.
“I’ve gone to Banda Aceh [following the 2004 tsunami], to Kashmir; those are all acts of God or acts of nature,” he said. “But when it’s a man-made conflict, as a human being, a physician, it’s really disturbing.”
Mehr, like other members of the American Medical Mission to Gaza, is adamant about keeping politics out of the work.
“We were purely apolitical— humanitarian,” he said. “We didn’t care who our patients were. You ended up consumed by the situation. We just did our work.”
Mehr’s team was in Gaza from Jan. 21 until Jan. 31.
“Most of our team dealt with trauma and infection of trauma injuries that weren’t taken care of right away,” Mehr said.
He wasn’t faulting the doctors who had been trying to care for the patients.
“When you’re having 200 people an hour coming to your emergency room — there isn’t a hospital in the U. S. that can handle that kind of volume. The injuries included burns and wounds that required amputations,” Mehr said.
Mehr said he couldn’t help but notice what he believed were the consequences of the two-year blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt on Gaza.
“What really caught us by surprise were the effects of the embargo,” he said. “We ended up taking care of people who were not just injured from the war, but were dying of cancer and chronic illnesses who couldn’t be treated because they didn’t have the medicines and didn’t have the medical expertise.”
mbecker@buffnews.com
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Where's My Daddy?
Hiba Saloum, a 4 year old Palestinian girl has been asking her mother this question since the day her father was killed. Her father, Mohammad, was a hero so to speak. It was afternoon, and the call for prayers had been made. As per his daily routine, Mohammad went to offer afternoon prayers. Few had been brave enough or dared to come out of their homes and offer prayers in a congregation during the recent conflict. I suppose it is very likely that he would have been asking God to help end the endless days of attacks. Little did he know what fate had in store for him.
Those who survived the upcoming deadly afternoon explained that as they were offering their prayers the loud supersonic sounds of approaching F-16 fighter jets were heard overhead. Following a large explosion that had jolted everyone to the ground, the jets unloaded an arsenal of missiles upon the local police station. The police station was completely decimated. Hiba
’s uncle, Gibran, who also was in the mosque, described the carnage. I can only picture it in my mind, like a seen from a Hollywood movie. He said there were body parts strewn across the rubble, some people were simply gasping for their last breaths, while others could be heard screaming for help. A scene of utter and total chaos along with despair beyond belief. Hiba's father and the others who were nearby ran to help their fellow brothers and sisters. As they were scouring through the wreckage helping and searching for survivors, an attack helicopter soon appeared and showered a hail of bullets and rocket fire on the small crowd beneath. Mohammad died helping others that day. I found a tear rolling down my cheek, as Hiba’s mother Fatima and Gibran told me the story. Hopefully one day Hiba can understand that her father died helping fellow man--a hero in my book.
History tends to only record the number of dead, seriously wounded, and the children who are hurt or killed during war. What I noticed, were the ones who are unspoken for. The children, like Hiba, The orphans--regardless i
f they lost one or both parents. Life is never the same for any child who has lost a parent, but imagine the uphill battle to survive in a war torn region like Gaza. Life is hard enough for the ones who survive year after year, despite the embargo and all its effects. Operation "Cast Lead" left over 2000 new orphans who ask the same questions. These children experience nightmares, bedwetting, and even the loss of control of their bowels--Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an understatement, to say the least.
f they lost one or both parents. Life is never the same for any child who has lost a parent, but imagine the uphill battle to survive in a war torn region like Gaza. Life is hard enough for the ones who survive year after year, despite the embargo and all its effects. Operation "Cast Lead" left over 2000 new orphans who ask the same questions. These children experience nightmares, bedwetting, and even the loss of control of their bowels--Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an understatement, to say the least. As physicians we are trained to handle all situations and all types of patients. But I could not find the words to console the children who told stories of seeing their parent’s bodies under the rubble, or bullet-ridden torsos lying in the front yard. The effects of 23 days of bombings and planes flying overhead have taken their toll on many, but it is the children who must live on with such memories, that need us most now.
It is heartening to see surgeons, trauma doctors, pediatricians and critical care specialists volunteer their time but we must not lose sight of the most important part of the body that has taken the greatest blow--the beautiful mind. I applaud my colleagues in the mental health professions that traveled to Gaza and can only hope that the borders are eased so that these heroes of medicine can continue to come, listen, and treat the children. Hopefully they can better serve to help answer questions that many physicians cannot—like that of Hiba: "Where's my daddy?"
Dr. Ismail Mehr is an anesthesiologist from Hornell, NY. He was the team leader for the American medical mission.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Dr Imran Qureshi Selected as CAIR Courage Awardee
CAIR to honor Hamza Yusuf, Roland Martin, Ahlam Jabra, Dr. Imran Qureshi
Dr. Imran Qureshi is an Interventional Radiologist practicing in Aurora, IL. He completed his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Rochester near his hometown of Dansville, NY. After spending an internship year in Chicago, he completed his Radiology residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Qureshi returned to Chicago for a fellowship in Interventional Radiology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He has been in Aurora for 4 years. Dr. Qureshi joined a group of 9 physicians who traveled to Gaza to on a humanitarian medical mission sponsored by the Islamic Medical Association. While there he performed procedures on multiple patients, including a five year old with cancer and a 9 day old with renal failure. He is currently working with the team to push for a congressional hearing regarding the aftermath of war in Gaza to allow continued medical aid in the region. He has also been a regular contributor to a website put up by the team--the American Medical Mission to Gaza
Dr. Imran Qureshi is an Interventional Radiologist practicing in Aurora, IL. He completed his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Rochester near his hometown of Dansville, NY. After spending an internship year in Chicago, he completed his Radiology residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Qureshi returned to Chicago for a fellowship in Interventional Radiology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He has been in Aurora for 4 years. Dr. Qureshi joined a group of 9 physicians who traveled to Gaza to on a humanitarian medical mission sponsored by the Islamic Medical Association. While there he performed procedures on multiple patients, including a five year old with cancer and a 9 day old with renal failure. He is currently working with the team to push for a congressional hearing regarding the aftermath of war in Gaza to allow continued medical aid in the region. He has also been a regular contributor to a website put up by the team--the American Medical Mission to Gaza
Chicago Tribune Prints Correction
Corrections and clarifications, Feb. 25, 2009
February 25, 2009
•An article Friday in the Chicagoland Extra edition gave an incorrect nationality for Dr. Imran Qureshi, a Naperville radiologist who was part of a medical relief team made up of Muslim physicians and surgeons from across the U.S. who traveled to the Gaza Strip. Qureshi is an American-born citizen and the son of Pakistani immigrants. Also, the article incorrectly said Qureshi had never been to the Middle East before. He had never been to Gaza before.The Tribune regrets the errors.
February 25, 2009
•An article Friday in the Chicagoland Extra edition gave an incorrect nationality for Dr. Imran Qureshi, a Naperville radiologist who was part of a medical relief team made up of Muslim physicians and surgeons from across the U.S. who traveled to the Gaza Strip. Qureshi is an American-born citizen and the son of Pakistani immigrants. Also, the article incorrectly said Qureshi had never been to the Middle East before. He had never been to Gaza before.The Tribune regrets the errors.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
2/24/09 Coverage
Report: US to give $900M in Gaza aid
Children afraid to return to school
Rehab for amputees a long road, at Al Wafa
MSF teams provide follow up surgery
Children afraid to return to school
Rehab for amputees a long road, at Al Wafa
MSF teams provide follow up surgery
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