HEALTH
Living with cystic fibrosis in Bethlehem
Jun, 2020
"We are so thankful for providing the medicines to my children to help in treating their disease."
Mohammed, 15, and Sara, 13, are siblings. After Mohammed was born, his mother noticed that he had a few health issues, like salty skin and stomach bloating. Despite his healthy appetite, he gained weight more slowly than other babies his age. His mother consulted a doctor. A sweat test revealed that he has cystic fibrosis.
Two years later, Mohammed’s sister, Sara, was born. Sara was also diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Their other three siblings do not have the disease but the hereditary condition does run in their family - one of their cousins also has the disease.
The teens went to Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem, known for diagnosis and treatment of cystic fibrosis, to continue their treatment. It is the only dedicated pediatric hospital in the West Bank, with a team of pulmonologists, physiotherapists, social workers, and a pharmacist and nutritionist. The Caritas pharmacy provides much-needed medicines that are otherwise unavailable in the area.
At Caritas, the hospital’s social workers evaluated the family’s social and financial background and offered appropriate counseling on how the family can support the teens and manage life with the condition. His family received a medical card that allows them to receive the medications they need free of charge.
The pharmacy team in Caritas prescribed the antibiotic azithromycin, and advised the family on safe and effective dosing. The siblings need to take medicine every other day for the rest of their lives.
The progressive chronic disease is caused by a defective gene that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. Cystic fibrosis patients often suffer from regular lung infections, pneumonia, and slow weight gain, among other symptoms. Abeer El-Tawil, the hospital’s pharmacist, notes that cystic fibrosis “puts the lives of many patients at risk if medications are not taken as prescribed.”
The medicine is often in short supply at both the Ministry of Health and other health care providers. Purchasing the expensive medication would be a serious hardship for the working class family, which already struggles to make ends meet. The father works in carpentry, while the mother takes care of their five children.
Thanks to a donated shipment from International Health Partners, Anera recently distributed azithromycin to Caritas Baby Hospital, among other health care providers. Now, Mohammed and Sara’s respiratory function has improved and their parents are less worried about getting the medicine in the future.
Despite their illness, the siblings are just like their peers in many ways. Sara is a “very sweet and calm girl,” her mother says. And Mohammed is “like any typical teenager. Sometimes he plays games on his smartphone. He has a very strong personality.”
"We are so thankful for providing the medicines to my children to help in treating their disease."
Thanks to a donation from International Health Partners, Anera has distributed 1,450 azithromycin bottles to 13 clinics and hospitals in the West Bank.
