13 December 2018
All of us at Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) are very sad to learn of the death of close friend and colleague John Beavis MB FRCS DMCC.
“John was a much-loved friend, founder and chairman of our partner IDEALS and a former trustee of MAP. He worked as a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, teacher and clinician in Bosnia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza and was hugely committed to the Palestinian cause.
“He always had a good tale to tell at the ready and had an indefatigable sense of humour. He was a joy to work with and he will be very sorely missed.”
-Aimee Shalan, Chief Executive of MAP
John’s knowledge, passion and care were invaluable to the development of trauma care in the occupied Palestinian territory and the establishment of Gaza’s first dedicated Limb Reconstruction Unit at Al Shifa Hospital, following the 2014 Israeli military offensive on Gaza.
“I was touched by this man from the first time I met him in 2009 when he came to Gaza to support MAP in developing the Primary Trauma Care programme. I was inspired by his giving soul, sense of humour and all the work he did in different places around the world to improve the lives of others. I’m greatly saddened to lose such great man who loved Gaza from the bottom of his heart and I believe that Gaza loved him and the people who were privileged to have known him will shed tears every time they remember him. John you will be hugely missed. You used to tell me that I was your extra daughter, now I feel that I lost my father again, may God bless your soul and rest in peace.”
-Fikr Shalltoot, MAP’s Director of Programme in Gaza
“As well as being a wonderful man and much-loved friend, John was a huge inspiration for me, shaping my international experience from the very beginning”.
-Dr Andy Ferguson, MAP’s Director of Programmes
“Dr. John Bevies was a beautiful soul, full of love, he was a man with distinguished humanity, may he rest in peace.”
Abeer Sief, MAP’s Neonatal Project Officer in Gaza
“We lost one of the best supporters for Gaza, Dr. John Beavis. Our condolences to your family, friends and colleagues. Rest in peace.”
Haitham Al Saqqa, MAP’s Programme Assistant in Gaza
“John Beavis’s death is a big loss, I’m really sad. He loved Gaza, he made us laugh a lot, he always called me ‘Mrs. Money Bag’ because I oversee the finances and I loved this name. He supported a lot of initiatives in Gaza. A few months ago, he called the office and spoke with me. He promised to come to Gaza and he was happy and laughing. He told me ‘I will make it to Gaza this time, tell Fikr I will bring nice chocolate from the airport as usual.’ John Beavis Miss Money Bag is too sad.”
Nawraz Abu Libdeh, MAP’s Finance and Administrative Officer in Gaza (left in below photo, next to John Beavis and Fikr Shalltoot)
Our thoughts are with John’s family and friends at this very sad time.
