"My life was in danger. Then I visited the Patients Friends Society, where I met Dr. Foad," Mohammed says.
Mohammed struggles with his weight. A diabetic, he has been experiencing shortness of breath and excessive sweating. He has already survived a heart attack. At the clinic, Mohammed received atorvastatin, a statin medicine. The drug, along with a healthy diet and exercise, helps lower cholesterol.
The cost of the medicine is often much too high for most patients in Palestine.
“I can't afford to buy [atorvastatin]. My wife is fighting cancer and I need every shekel for her medication and surgeries.” says Mohammed.
So Mohammed depends on the Patients Friends Society to get the medication he needs at no cost. A generous grant from Islamic Relief USA allowed Anera to buy and distribute the medicine locally.
The Patients Friends Society is one of the recipient clinics. It is the only medical facility serving a large mountainous area in the northern West Bank. More than 30 patients visit the clinic every day.
"We really are friends to our patients. They seem to appreciate our high standards of care and full range of services," says Foad Alkilani, a physician working at the clinic.
He explains that there is an increase in the number of patients like Mohammed. "Most people eat too much fried food, nuts and chocolate. These kinds of foods build body fat, shave years off of people's lives, and put them at risk for chronic disease."
Medicine + diet & exercise = good health
"I treat many patients through diet modification before prescribing medication," Alkilani says. Building habits like playing sports for half an hour most days can make a real difference in helping patients improve their health.
Fatima is also at the clinic to pick up her atorvastatin prescription. Due to the long hours she works, her diet has often been less than ideal. "For two years, I have had my dinner late at night and I have gained a lot of weight," Fatima says.
Along with the medicine, the doctor advises Fatima to change her behavior. He suggests walking, playing sports and avoiding fried foods, especially late at night.
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.
