Recent projects for Palestine
1. Rehabilitation of Khan Younis hospital A&E Department.
During the present crisis in Gaza, a four man medical team brought back details of the poor situation facing patients requiring emergency medical care. With only two functioning emergency departments, one in Rafah and one in Khan Younis and with neither having adequate facilities or adequately trained staff, emergency and other patients face a long, dangerous and expensive journey to Jordan .
DWW has also begun looking for partners and donations to help upgrade the facilities at Khan Younis hospital, it requires a new anaesthetic and x-ray machine as well as a CT scanner. With this improved equipment many more laparotomies and much more emergency work can be carried out without the need for unnecessary and dangerous transfers outside of Palestine .Funding has been found and DWW is trying to send the equipment to Gaza. DWW will then commit to training and managing staff to make the most use out of the diagnostic improvements. DWW will also send volunteer staff to help training and development.
This project has beeen completed by DWW-Turkey. CT scan and other equiopment have been set up in May-2007.
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2. Trauma Resusitation course:
DWW has undertaken to train 5-6 key workers in Gaza to the level of becoming trauma trainers, they will be given this training at an internationally renowned centre in Istanbul , following which local training courses for further staff can be run by them on their return.
6 Palestinan doctors have been trained in Istanbul and returned in May 2007.
3. Psychological trauma course:
This will be held locally in Gaza. We will send trainers from outside for this programme.It is in planning phase now.
Unfortunately due to internal fighting in Gaza DWW could not send the team for the course despite all the arrangements done.
4. Al-Muhteseb hospital-Hebron:
This is a charity hospital. They need help for equipment as well as management. DWW is trying to rehabilitate ophtalmology department. The hospital also need for outside volunteers to improve its servises. We are planning to send volunteers very soon.
In November 2002, DWW co-ordinated a course to train local mental health practitioners and teachers to work with psychologically traumatized children and their families. The course was run undertaken by members of DWW working alongside trainers from the UMICPT ( University of Missouri International Centre for Psychological Trauma), The Palestinian Red Crescent.
The objectives of the course were to
a) To help the general practitioners, teachers and mental health professionals to recognize the signs and symptoms of PTSD, depression and suicide risks in their clientele.
b) To practice various stress management techniques
c) It was hoped that by the end of course the participants would be able to recognize PTSD and depression in their patient and provide initial help and feel confident in referring more difficult cases to the mental health professionals.
In total 55 participants attended from two venues, feedback from all concerned was very positive and we hope to extend the training to further areas.
Shown at the Cannes and the Raindance London film festivals to critical acclaim, a documentary film "Article 17" which is directed by one of DWW`s member is now on sale. All profits will be used on medical charitable projects. Its synopsis is;
“Being a medic in a war zone is a challenging vocation. The doctor, nurse or paramedic will find themselves questioning the point of it all. The concept of restrictions placed on ambulance assistance in a medical emergency is incomprehensible in many parts of the
world; however in Palestine today it is an every day occurrence. The idea of medical teams themselves becoming the victims or the fatalities of war is an even more difficult truth to accept. The documentary Article 17 looks deeper into the life threatening profession of being a medic on the frontline in Nablus.”
Article 17 refers to the UN ruling insisting that medical support must be given free passage in conflict zones. Director Saleyha Ahsan follows international and Palestinian medics as they attempt to get help to the people of Ramallah and Nablus during heavy fighting. VHS copy can be bought exclusively through DWW and it costs £10 including postage. Payment can be made through the donation page.
Click here for the trailer of Article 17. This video requires Real Player which can be downloaded from the link on the right. |
