22 September 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: Nasser Al Madhoun
Age: 28
Job: Theatre Nurse
Married and has one boy and one girl. He is originally from a village near Ashkelon.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
“I mostly wanted to be a football player.”
What do you carry with you to the work?
“I always carry my phone, my keys and my cigarettes.”
What are your hobbies?
“I love swimming and football.”
What ritual do you have each day starting your work?
“I come every morning when I have a morning shift. I go through the surgery schedule, check the time and name of patients. I am responsible for preparing the material for surgeries. The night shifts are different because there are no surgeries scheduled, and we work pure emergency. Most night shifts last around 17 hours.
What’s the biggest challenge in your work?
“The big challenge for me is the shortage of materials and using the same old tools for years. In other hospital they are changed regularly, but we have to deal with what we have.”
What inspires you to continue your work?
“The situation is hard for us because we don’t get paid due to political issues. However, this doesn’t prevent me from giving all patients their right to health, I feel responsible for them.”
What’s your most beautiful memory?
“The day my children were born and when I got the job in the hospital.”
Featured image: Nasser, during a break. (Photo: Lara Aburamadan)