2 December 2025
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Terence English, one of our esteemed honorary patrons and a devoted medical volunteer whose compassion and skill touched countless lives in Gaza.
Sir Terence was a pioneer in British medicine. In 1979, he performed the United Kingdom’s first successful heart transplant at Papworth Hospital, a groundbreaking achievement that transformed cardiac surgery and gave hope to patients. He went on to serve as President of the Royal College of Surgeons, cementing his place among the most distinguished surgeons of his generation.
For all his professional achievements, Sir Terence never lost sight of those in greatest need. He became a dedicated volunteer with MAP, travelling to Gaza to provide surgical expertise and training to Palestinian medical teams working under the most challenging circumstances.
Fikr Shalltoot, MAP’s Gaza Director, said: “Sir Terence played an influential role in supporting our work in Gaza. He worked closely with us to develop our primary trauma care programme and was instrumental in establishing our limb reconstruction project, showing extraordinary courage as one of the first international medical professionals to visit Gaza during Israel’s military assault on Gaza in 2014. His commitment to Palestinian healthcare was not just in words but in action, even in the most dangerous times.”
Steve Cutts, MAP’s CEO, said: “Sir Terence’s legacy lives on in the surgical skills he imparted, the patients whose lives he saved and the example he set of using his gift to serve those in greatest need. MAP has lost a cherished patron, the Palestinian people have lost a steadfast friend and the world has lost a truly great physician.”
Our thoughts are with Sir Terence’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.
Sir Terence English was a trustee and honorary patron of Medical Aid for Palestinians, and a volunteer surgeon who provided care and training in Gaza.