Medical Aid Brings Relief for This Young Gaza Woman

She began losing weight and experienced frequent nausea and vomiting. “Her face was always yellow and her teeth started falling out,” her mother, Sumaya, says. Now 21 years old, she weighs a mere 77 lbs (35 KG).

Although she has undergone a number of tests, doctors have never been able to definitively diagnose her case. She even underwent surgery in Israel, but, much to her disappointment, her symptoms continued unabated.

Finally, doctors prescribed lansoprazole, which is prescribed to prevent and treat stomach ulcers and related ailments. Haya has been taking three pills each day. It’s not a cure but the medicine has helped treat her ulcers and manage her symptoms.

Thanks to a generous shipment of donated medicines from Americares, Anera had delivered lansoprazole and other essential medicines to Al Huda Medical Center and other health clinics across Gaza.

Haya comes from an economically vulnerable family. Her father is unemployed and cannot find work of any kind in the terrible economy that has endured for years in Gaza. The family relies on nonprofit medical clinics like Al Huda Medical Center to obtain medicine.

“Donated medicine is so appreciated because, without it, we would suffer twice,” Sumaya says. “Once from the illness itself, and again from the lack of medicine.”

“We are so thankful. The medicine is a life-saver. If it wasn't available, what would I do then? Praise to all those who help us,” Sumaya says.