• Palestine

Many people have contributed to the organization of a Paediatric Surgical and Radiological team to Palestine, the first of which was in 2005. The initial contact was between the Al Awda hospital, run by the Union Committee of Health Care Committees in Gaza, and the Children First Foundation. The Kind Cuts for Kids Foundation responded to a request for a teaching and service visit with the assistance of Mr Phillip Sacca, who was instrumental in ensuring the success of the venture.

Ryad, the Head Nurse for the Al Awda Hospital, was one of the principal persons due credit for the number of cases seen and the smooth running of the program. His efforts were tireless and aided by the Chief Surgeon and the staff in the theatre, the ward and outpatients.

Al Awda Hospital is a 50 bed not-for-profit hospital run by the Union of Health Care Committees and consists of three wards, an Emergency Department, and two theatres providing care for children and adults, including obstetric patients. The Outpatients Department consists of five consulting rooms, plus an ultrasound room.

During the brief visit, 41 operations were performed on 36 patients, with over 95 patients being evaluated, with some operations having to be deferred to the next visit.

Dr Padma Rao vetted and investigated the cases with Ryad, while Dr Ben Yapo assisted with the surgical and recovery management of the cases while teaching the Palestinian doctors and nurses. A major contribution to the success of the visit was the participation of the local Paediatric Surgical staff, and the opportunity to lecture at the University to a large audience. The enthusiasm of the local medical staff enabled the gains to be much more than the individual cases treated.

The second visit is currently planned for August 2006, by a team from Canberra, Australia.