19 August 2016
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and our sister charity IDEALS responded to a preponderance of complex limb injuries by sending British surgical teams to Gaza during the 2014 conflict and in the two years since. They have provided operations for injured Palestinians and on-the-job training for Palestinian medics at Gaza’s largest hospital, Al Shifa.
This project saw major success this year with the establishment of a permanent Limb Reconstruction Unit at Al Shifa, staffed and run entirely by a dedicated team of Palestinian surgeons, nurses and technicians.
We met up with the team and talked to them about their work and life in Gaza.
Name: Dr Adnan Al Borsh
Age: 42
Background: Jabalia City north of Gaza City. Married, with three boys; Yazan, Yamen and Tamim.
Tell us about yourself Adnan?
In our life every new day is a blessing because we’re still alive. When I was studying in the UK I had the chance to stay and bring my family, but I love too much Gaza and life is holy for us, we have another view on life. I work as orthopedics consultant in Al Shifa hospital. I specialize in orthopedics surgery and complex fractures. I have a private clinic where I work at after my work in Al Shifa Hospital. I also teach some hours at the university.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I’m from the generation that experienced the first intifada. My family suffered from the Israeli occupation and that motivated me to think about my surroundings and to be politically engaged. I wanted to study law, to try to change something. The situation was very unstable and my family convinced me to study medicine abroad, so I did. I loved the orthopedic field during my studies. I was injured during the first intifada and broke my thigh bone which made me suffer a lot and I had to stay in bed for three months. This incident made me specialize in orthopedics.
I still could not get my first dream out of my head to study something related to law or politics. So after I finished all my studies, passed my exams for the Palestinian and Jordanian medical board and completed my fellowship in the UK in complex fractions, I came back to Gaza and did my masters in political science.
What are your hobbies?
I love swimming and photography. My house is close to the beach so this is my everyday sport even in the winter. My British friends when I was studying in the UK used to ask me when they saw me, “Where are your friends?” With this they meant my camera and a coffee, which I always carry with me. I like to document everything in my life, both work and social life.”
Is there a patient you treated who left an impact on you?
Children always affect me the most. When I treat them I feel like they could be my own children. When I see a child crying, it feels like it is my own child that cries. Our children don’t have a normal childhood as I saw they do abroad, outside of Gaza.
What ritual do you have each day starting your work?
I wake up early, I pray, and I have a special hour for reading and a cup of coffee. I read a book every month that is outside the medical field. The past period I read a lot about politics, history and also novels. Then I go to work. After work I spend time with my children. This is important to me as doctors spend a lot of time away from home. I have a little garden in my house where I planted fruit trees and I like to take care of my trees and flowers. In the afternoon I go to my private clinic. In the evening we have time for social visits to see family and friends and in the night I read the news so I can be close to reality. Fridays are a holy day with the family were we just relax and spend time together.
What’s your most beautiful or bad memory?
The worst memory for me is when my mother died.
You are a hero to many people, who are your heroes?
My heroes are many doctors from different countries whom I worked with and learnt from. They had real humanity and wanted to help people. There is a quote that I like: “Who doesn’t like climbing mountains, will always live between holes” - whenever you look up you’ll reach your dream.
What’s the biggest challenge in your job?
The biggest challenge I face in my work is satisfying people and taking decisions for each patient.
What do you always carry with you?
I always take with me to work a sandwich and a cup of coffee. In my personal bag I have my notebook, iPad, car keys and a hair brush.
Featured image: Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and our sister charity IDEALS responded to a preponderance of complex limb injuries by sending British surgical teams to Gaza during the 2014 conflict and in the two years since. They have provided operations for injured Palestinians and on-the-job training for Palestinian medics at Gaza’s largest hospital, Al Shifa.