Skip to content
Anera
  • Who We Are
    • Column1
      • About Us
      • Our Staff
      • Anera FAQ
    • Column2
      • Resources
      • 2024 Annual Report
      • Contact Us
  • Where We Work
    • Column1
      • Palestine
        • Gaza
        • West Bank
      • Lebanon
      • Jordan
  • What We Do
    • Column1
      • Agriculture
      • Health
      • Community
      • Education
    • Column2
      • Water
      • Emergency
      • Stories
      • Videos
  • How to Help
    • Column1
      • Fundraise
      • Become a Social Media Ambassador
      • Attend an Event
      • Donor Portal
    • Column2
      • Give Monthly
      • More Ways to Give
      • Zakat Giving
      • Anera Leadership Circle
  • Blog
  • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
    • Zakat Giving
    • More Ways to Give
Anera
Donor Portal
  • Who We Are
    • Column1
      • About Us
      • Our Staff
      • Anera FAQ
    • Column2
      • Resources
      • 2024 Annual Report
      • Contact Us
  • Where We Work
    • Column1
      • Palestine
        • Gaza
        • West Bank
      • Lebanon
      • Jordan
  • What We Do
    • Column1
      • Agriculture
      • Health
      • Community
      • Education
    • Column2
      • Water
      • Emergency
      • Stories
      • Videos
  • How to Help
    • Column1
      • Fundraise
      • Become a Social Media Ambassador
      • Attend an Event
      • Donor Portal
    • Column2
      • Give Monthly
      • More Ways to Give
      • Zakat Giving
      • Anera Leadership Circle
  • Blog
  • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
    • Zakat Giving
    • More Ways to Give
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • Where We Work
  • How to Help
  • Resources
  • Success Stories
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • 2024 Annual Report
Donate
HEALTH

Medical Aid Ensures Treatment for 35 Cancer Patients in Gaza

Dec, 2020

“It’s impossible for any patients to afford or find the medicine.”

Dr. Zakari Abu Qamar is worried. He has been in charge of the central warehouse at Shifa Hospital in Gaza for the last 16 years, and he says they now have only half of their full supply of medicines in stock. The shortage is particularly acute for chronic diseases and cancer medicines.

Recently, Anera delivered 2,000 vials of bortezomib, which slows or stops the growth of cancer cells. Thanks to a generous medical donation from International Health Partners, Anera has been able to provide 35 patients suffering from multiple myeloma or mantle cell lymphoma with a supply of the anti-cancer medication for the next 18 months. A grant from Islamic Relief USA covered transportation costs for the shipment.

This expensive medicine generally isn’t available in Gaza. Abu Qamar says each patient needs eight vials of the medicine per month, and it’s “impossible for any patients to afford or find the medicine.” He also notes that it comes from a high-quality brand manufacturer.

“This is essential medicine [that] will ease the burden on the health system.”

Because bortezomib is usually unavailable in Gaza, myeloma and lymphoma patients must apply for a permit to seek treatment in Israel. However, treatment outside Gaza comes with its own risks.

The medicine requires a strict dosage schedule - four times daily, for the first 10 days. So every 11 days patients must return to Israel. Many patients confront permit denials or delays in processing their travel applications and can’t complete their cycle of treatment.

Thanks to this shipment, Shifa Hospital is now able to continue treatment for patients facing life-threatening disruptions to their treatment. “We do our best to secure coordination [with a patient’s physicians at the Israeli hospitals] to follow up on the treatment procedures and complete the course of treatment,” Abu Qamar says.

In 2020, Anera became the number one donor to Shifa Hospital. Abu Qamar says that the medical aid has been invaluable. Anera is careful to supply only medicines that the hospital wants and to communicate the expected time of delivery.

He is particularly pleased that the hospital is able to have input on the donated medicine it receives. Unfortunately, a “take whatever you can get” dynamic is all too common in regard to donated medicines. Having few choices in the medicines available to them is a major concern for the hospital. He says, “Selecting the medicine isn’t the norm in Gaza."

The fact that we can choose the medicine based on the need… means a lot to all of us.”

Dr. Abu Qamar pulls a packet of bortezomib out of the box.
Dr. Abu Qamar says Anera is the largest provider of donated medicines for Shifa Hospital in 2020.

Thanks to the IHP medical donation and IRUSA funds to cover transportation costs, Anera recently delivered the medical aid - including antibiotics, hypertension, and antifungal medications and ferrous sulfate supplements - in this shipment to 15 clinics and hospitals across Gaza. Shifa Hospital, as the only Gaza medical facility specialized in offering the appropriate treatment, was the exclusive recipient of bortezomib.

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.

SHARE THIS STORY

Related Stories

A Stitch of Dignity

Read More →

Construction of Hope in Lebanon

Read More →

$219 M

worth of aid to serve millions of Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians and Jordanians, in calendar year 2024

Contact Us

WHO WE ARE

Site Map

  • Who We Are
  • Where We Work
  • What We Do
  • How to Help
  • Donor Portal
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Stories
  • Join Our Team
  • Contact Us

More About Anera

Anera addresses the development and relief needs of refugees and vulnerable communities in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan. 

Anera is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (tax-ID number 52-0882226). Your gift is secure and tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Follow Us on Social Media

© Anera, 2025 | Print This Page | Site Credit
  • FAQ
  • TRUSTED & RESPECTED
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SITE MAP
 Share This
 Facebook
 WhatsApp
 LinkedIn
 Email

Share on Mastodon