Jun, 2015
With 13 children of her own, 60 grandchildren, one great grandchild and more on the way, Mufida Al-Natsheh happily continues to dedicate her life to her ever-growing family.
At 60, the great grandmother from Hebron, West Bank has been plagued by disease and illness that have stifled her fiery spirit and energy. For over 10 years, she has suffered from diabetes and hypertension, which are quite common in her family. Her heavy weight and lack of exercise, combined with her diseases, have resulted in ischemic heart disease, renal failure, gout and intervertebral disc problems.
And then, as she entered menopause, she developed osteoporosis, which greatly constrains her movement and causes her continual joint and bone pain.
Mufida takes 10 different pills every day to help her body function properly as well as three doses of insulin. Anera delivers several of her medications to the charitable medical center in Hebron, which have been provided free by generous donors through Anera’s medical supplies program. Donated medicine helps Palestinian families struggling with disease and poverty make ends meet.
Donation of Medicine to Hebron, Palestine Eases Suffering
After receiving a much-needed Direct Relief donation of Indomethacine, Mufida’s doctor did not hesitate to replace her old arthritis medication.
“What’s wonderful about this particular medication is that it has no side effects,” explains Dr. Wael Al-Rajabi. “Patients with a long history of diseases and illnesses, like Mufida, need a medication that is highly effective yet harmless.”
Only one capsule a day is all Mufida needs now to relieve her arthritis pains. Although it has only been a couple of weeks since Mufida started taking Indomethacine, she finds it easier on the stomach and more effective for the severest pains.
If it weren’t for this center, I couldn’t have afforded proper treatment.
Like most of the center’s patients, Mufida is proud but poverty-stricken and must depend on the medical center for her daily medications: “If it weren’t for this center, I couldn’t have afforded proper treatment.”
When she was much younger, Mufida absolutely loved outings and keeping busy, but her health problems deter her from going out. Confined mostly to her home, Mufida still finds the time and energy to cook for her family and spoil her grandchildren. “The excellent treatment and care I receive at the medical center allow me to care for my family and surround them with love!”
