HEALTH
Donated medicines make health care accessible in Hebron
Feb, 2020
For patients with diabetes in Palestine, access to no-cost medicines can save lives. Thanks to our partners, this Hebron hospital makes it happen.
Donated antibiotic treats Khalil’s respiratory infection
Haj Khalil is at the Al Ahli Hospital, which Anera helped establish in Hebron in 1988, with a severe infection in his chest. He has had a bad cough for some time but this week it grew worse.
The 60-year-old says the condition runs in his family. Khalil says it used to be manageable but his symptoms have grown worse. “This is my second time visiting the hospital this winter.”
Dr. Fawaz Abu Khalaf diagnoses Khalil with an upper respiratory system infection and prescribes him the antibiotic moxifloxacin. The medicine is used to treat bacterial infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia and sinusitis.
Dr. Khalaf says Khalil’s infection is linked to seasonal allergies. He has stayed at the hospital for six days and is looking forward to being discharged soon. One advantage for his health is that he has never been a smoker.
Free-of-charge medicine allows Fahed to manage his diabetes
Fahed is a blacksmith who runs a small shop in Hebron. Today, he is here for a checkup with Dr. Khalaf. The 49-year-old has suffered from diabetes for two years. Diabetes didn’t run in his family so he was surprised by the diagnosis.
Now, he takes monthly blood tests to measure his blood sugar levels. Fahed says managing the disease has become a lifestyle for him. “All of my meals and snacks need a lot of thought and planning.” Khalaf reinforces the point, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating to his patient.
Fahed was prescribed metformin hydrochloride, which helps to lower his glucose levels and stimulates his pancreas to produce insulin to regulate his blood sugar. He was visibly relieved to learn that the medicine is free of charge.
Thanks to the recent arrival of a metformin shipment – a generous donation from HPIC — that Anera delivered, Al Ahli Hospital has been able to provide Fahed and patients like him with vital medicine at no charge. The shipping costs of the donated medicine were covered by Islamic Relief USA through its Palestine Humanitarian Aid project.
The views expressed herein are those of Anera and shall not, in any way whatsoever, be construed to reflect the official opinion of IRUSA, its Islamic Relief affiliates, or its donors.
