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An abnormal system By Ezzeldeen Abu al-Aish Tags: Israel News, Gaza, IDF, Hamas My affiliation with Israeli hospitals began some 20 years ago, after I read a book by Israeli researchers in the field of fertility, which was of particular interest to me. I had just returned to Gaza after completing a residency in obstetrics and gynecology in London, and working thereafter in Saudi Arabia. I got in touch with Prof. Mark Glazerman at Soroka Medical Center, Be'er Sheva, who agreed to receive female patients of mine for consultation and treatments not available in Gaza. Periodically I would bring patients in my own car, and sometimes in a small minibus that carried between 12-15 women to Soroka. I realized that cooperation with the Israeli health-care system would benefit many of the patients. In 1994 the United Nations requested that I take charge of women's health care in Gaza. After three years of unsatisfying administrative work, I wanted to go back to practicing medicine. I learned Hebrew at an ulpan and, in 1997, I applied for a residency at Soroka. I loved every day spent at that hospital, and all of the people there. To this day, we maintain good friendships. Later on I completed a master's degree in the United States from the Harvard School of Public Health, and served in Kabul as an adviser to the Afghan health-care system. Later I returned to the Gaza Strip. I found a poor health-care system in the Strip. Anyone who steps into a pediatrics ward at Sheba Medical Center or Sourasky Medical Center will encounter a large number of Palestinian children. Many are happy to receive treatment in Israel, which has one of the best health-care systems in the world. Cooperation between the two systems exists, although not to a satisfactory degree. Advertisement This cooperation can be compared to "medical tourism," except that in places where such tourism exists, the person plans for the treatment, comes to the hospital, and even has fun. Here, one finds an abnormal system of medical tourism, between two peoples engaged in conflict - a fact that exacerbates the patients' suffering. The convoluted bureaucracy involved in obtaining guarantees of insurance coverage, and security permits for crossing into Israel from the Gaza Strip complicates matters. Even when someone manages to get treatment in Israel, he has difficulty returning for a follow-up appointment and continued treatment, because nobody promises to grant him those permits. Another problem is the lack of communication between the physician who sends the patient from Gaza and the physician who handles the case in Israel. Frequently the patient's condition deteriorates upon returning to Gaza, and the doctor there is not up to date regarding his treatment history. This system has been in place for years, but no one has looked into ways of improving treatment so as to make things easier for Gazans. In a research project I have initiated, we are studying the mechanism for transferring patients, with the aim of streamlining it. I recently received a job offer from the University of Toronto. However, the tragedy we suffered changes all our plans, and I am now incapable of thinking about the future. Dr. Ezzeldeen Abu al-Aish lost three daughters to IDF fire during Operation Cast Lead. His surviving children have received treatment in Israel. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Celebrities scam Arab world celebrities 'swindled of millions by Egyptian fraudster'. Holocaust denial Vatican: Bishop who denied the Holocaust must recant his positions.

Read & React IDF: No arms and little aid found aboard seized Gaza-bound ship Responses: 82 Gaza doctor who lost daughters in IDF strike: Everyone makes mistakes Responses: 64 Amira Hass: Gaza burn victims exhibit possible signs of white phosphorous wounds Responses: 52 Hamas: Draft for Gaza truce has been reached Responses: 45 Israeli Arab push for election boycott gathers momentum Responses: 44 Stockholm police arrest two for throwing shoe, books at Israeli envoy Responses: 45 More Headlines 19:38 Olmert okays transfer of NIS 175m from West Bank to Gaza 16:56 Russia plans to start up Iran nuclear plant in 2009 19:39 Egypt detains senior Hamas official taking $11m to Gaza 20:40 IDF: No arms and little aid found aboard seized Gaza-bound ship 19:55 Elections 2009 / Livni: Every Israeli must do IDF or national service 12:22 IDF kills Jihad man in West Bank over plot to attack Israel 20:06 WATCH: British Mandate-era arms cache found in Hod Hasharon synagogue 12:29 Madoff scam victims named; sons and brother on list 19:46 U.S., EU experts consider naval force to stop Gaza arms smuggling 11:08 Gaza burn victims exhibit possible signs of white phosphorous wounds 17:28 Top defense official Gilad heads to Cairo for Gaza truce talks 14:13 Elections 2009 / Israeli Arab election boycott gathers speed 19:17 Umm al-Fahm vows to block far-rightist from entering city on election day 11:02 Stockholm police arrest two for throwing shoe at Israeli envoy 19:01 Elections 2009 / Labor officials urge Barak to rule out partnership with Lieberman 13:03 After years of hunting Nazi 'Dr. Death,' Germany now looking for his body Previous Editions Select Day 04 feb 03 feb 02 feb 01 feb 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan 27 jan 26 jan 25 jan 23 jan 22 jan

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