SIGHT FOR GAZA
For several decades, Gaza has been at the centre of an ongoing and devastating conflict. The political blockades in the region have restricted access to much needed resources, including food and life-saving healthcare.
Approximately 2.5 million tons of debris, caused by the conflict, have led the population to develop serious eye infections.
Inherited eye problems have also increased the population’s risk of developing de-generation, squints, lazy eye and other eye impediments. In many cases these conditions can lead to permanent blindness if they are not treated early on. The St John Eye Hospital Group (SJEHG) is the only free specialist ophthalmic service available to a population of over 1.4 million in Gaza and is committed to treating patients regardless of their ethnicity, religion or ability to pay.
GAZA HOSPITAL
In 1992 the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group opened a Gaza clinic which soon became a lifeline for many Gazans requiring eye care. By April 2016, with the help of many in the international community, the SJEHG opened the Gaza Hospital to meet the growing demand for ophthalmic care. The hospital opened with one fully equipped operating theatre and in November 2019 we opened a second operating theatre. This meant that we could operate 4 days per week, in addition to running the Primary and Secondary care clinic 5 days per week. The 2 operating theatres in Gaza mean fewer patients must make the arduous journey through multiple checkpoints to our main hospital in Jerusalem, and no patient is denied treatment.
Against extremely challenging and difficult circumstances, the SJEHG continues to provide essential eye care to the people of Gaza
Belal: one of many paediatric patients
"Since I lost my vision, I started feeling different from my friends. I felt I am no longer a normal child and stranger from other children of my age.”
Belal is only 9 years old and in July 2019 he lost sight in his left eye. Restrictions on movement in the region forced him and his family to remain inside during the first wave of the pandemic. Belal was among 1.1. million people living with a form of visual impairment in the region.
Lockdown also put Belal and his nine family members in an incredibly difficult financial position, but Belal was able to visit the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital in Gaza last year to receive specialist help. A doctor diagnosed the need for vitreoretinal surgery and as his condition was critical, Belal was referred for immediate surgery. Thanks to the hospital, Belal’s operation was successful and his is now able to see again.
Belal described the hospital as his second home, due to the warm patient care he received. He is now truly elated to be able to see his parent, siblings, and friends again.
By making a donation today, you can ensure our team can continue to perform vital sight saving work in the community; so that children like Belal can see again.
How you can help
1) Attend one of our virtual talks and event (click here)
2) Make a sight-saving donation of any amount (click here)
Key contacts
Chairman: Sarah-Jane Holden
Vice Chairman: Janet Marsh
