Ali Najjar is 75 years old, but he still works as an electrician in Beddawi Camp. Ali, a Palestinian refugee, supports himself and his family with his trade. His profession fortunately allows him to be active and productive most of the time.
Recently, while working on a light pole, Ali suddenly became short of breath. Soon after he visited Dr. Mohammad Imadi at Al-Shifaa Medical Association Center, who diagnosed him with asthma. Dr. Mohammad prescribed Ali an inhaler and short-term medication to alleviate his condition. The inhaler, Combivent, is commonly used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition to asthma, Ali also suffers from high blood pressure and cholesterol as well as glaucoma in his eyes.
Anera’s long-time partner, Direct Relief, generously provided the inhaler as part of a shipment of in-kind medical donations. With the help of Health Care Society, Anera was able to deliver and distribute the donated medicines to Ali’s clinic in Beddawi.
The Al-Shifaa Medical Association Center was established in 1978 in two locations: Beddawi and Nahr El Bared camps. Its patients are primarily disadvantaged members of the Palestinian refugee community, like Ali. In Beddawi, the center serves about 1,400 patients each month. 60 percent of these patients are Palestinians while 30 percent are Syrians and 10 percent are Lebanese.
“Having these medicines is a great support for the center and for the patients here,”
says Ahmad Qaddoura, Head of Al Shifaa. “We often have shortages in medicines, especially those for chronic diseases.”
There are only two medical dispensaries located in Beddawi in addition to one hospital.. Both serve a population of 40,000.
