Ever since the Gaza war ended in 2014, the health system has struggled to fulfill the growing needs of different types of medicine.
“Gaza was plagued with poor infrastructure and a fragile health care system even prior to the war,” says pharmacist Safaa Hawer who works for Al-Quds hospital.
For many Gaza families, Al-Quds hospital is the only facility that offers affordable and quality health care. Safaa feels confident that without the medicine that Anera has been delivering to the hospital, the work would have been even more difficult. “We’ve been operating in peace and war with rotating shifts of physicians around the clock. The availability of the medicine delivered by Anera helps us tremendously,” says Safaa, who joined the hospital in 2001.
Al-Quds Hospital patient 40-year-old Ahmed Sabaah has type-2 diabetes. Last year, Ahmed felt some uncommon symptoms, including excess thirst, frequent urination and sudden weight loss. He went to the doctor for blood tests and was told he was diabetic and that his genetic history made him predisposed to the disease.
We’ve been operating in peace and war with rotating shifts of physicians around the clock. The availability of the medicine delivered by Anera helps us tremendously.
Ahmed goes to the hospital for medical attention and to get his medicines. He takes monthly blood tests to measure his blood sugar levels. Ahmed says the disease has become a lifestyle for him. “All of my meals and snacks require thought and consideration. Any human error may cause dire repercussions,” he says. “But the doctors have never failed me. They always give me the right prescription to help me deal with this disease,” he adds.
Ahmed was prescribed Pioglitazone Hydrochloride (Actos), to lower his glucose levels and activate his pancreas to produce insulin to regulate his blood sugar. He beamed with relief when he learned the medicine was free. His works as a janitor and, like many other Gaza diabetes patients, does not have any medical benefits. He says his salary is barely enough to live on.
Thanks to the recent arrival of an AmeriCares shipment of donated medicines, Anera made a delivery to Al-Quds hospital, enabling them to provide Ahmed his vital medicine free of charge. As Ahmed prepares to leave after his check-up, pharmacist Safaa gently reminds him to make his next appoint and to call the doctor if he feels any side effects. Ahmed smiles with confidence and relief that he is getting proper treatment for his chronic disease and that his health is in good hands.
Anera has partnered with Al-Quds hospital since 2003 to deliver much-needed medicine and medical supplies, serving one of the most vulnerable communities in Gaza. Anera distributed a Pioglitazone Hydrochloride (Actos) donation through AmeriCares to 8 clinics and hospitals all across Gaza to help patients with type-2 diabetes.
