“On a summer vacation, nothing beats playing football, riding bikes and having fun with my friends," Asem says.
Asem, 11, lives in the Obaidieh neighborhood of Bethlehem in the West Bank. Three years ago his father passed, leaving him with his mother, six sisters and one brother. His 28-year-old brother is now responsible for providing for the whole family.
"My brother works day and night to bring happiness into my life. Last month he surprised me with a new bicycle,” Asem says.
He recently fell and injured himself while out riding with his friends in the neighborhood. His brother took him to the Aknaf Beit Almaqdis clinic.
Aknaf Beit Almaqdis clinic is located near a checkpoint in Bethlehem connecting the north and south of the city. The clinic is a primary health care center for people in Obaidieh village and other surrounding villages such as Elkhas and Dar-Salah. It offers free medications to the villagers who often have very limited income.
When the checkpoint is closed, Aknaf Beit Almaqdis is the only nearby facility where they can receive medical services and first aid. The closest hospital in Bethlehem is a more than half hour drive.
In the clinic, Asem and his brother met Dr. Rani Abu Qadoum, who treated the injury. "We see an average of 18 injuries in the clinic every day," Abu Qadoum says. Many of them are traffic-related injuries.
Patients with trauma injuries are often prescribed antibiotics to prevent potential infection of the wound. An amoxicillin and clavulanate combination is one of the most effective antibiotics available. "Unless Asem takes [an antibiotic], his wound will not heal and it will become infected," Abu Qadoum says.
As an active boy, this isn't Asem’s first injury. Before this accident, Asem broke his leg while playing football. He was prescribed amoxicillin / clavulanate during his recuperation that time as well.
Asem remains undaunted however. He says that as soon as recovers he’ll be back to riding. “I am in love with my new bike.”
Thanks to a generous donation from Islamic Relief USA, amoxicillin/clavulanate is now available free-of-charge to patients at the Aknaf Beit Almaqdis clinic.
The views expressed herein are those of Anera and shall not, in any way whatsoever, be construed to reflect the official opinion of Islamic Relief USA, its Islamic Relief affiliates, or its donors.
