Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed meets wounded Palestinian children

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), has visited wounded Palestinian children and cancer patients receiving medical treatment in UAE hospitals in implementation of directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to provide treatment to 1,000 Palestinian children and their families from Gaza Strip.

During the visit, Sheikh Hamdan checked on the health conditions of the children and their families, met with the medical teams supervising the treatment and rehabilitation plans. He also listened to an explanation about the nature of the medical cases and the extent of their recovery. Sheikh Hamdan directed the provision of the best-in-class health care, wishing everyone a speedy recovery and that God bless them with health and safety.

The Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent emphasised the UAE’s keenness to stand by the people of the Gaza Strip and alleviate their suffering in light of the difficult humanitarian conditions they are going through. He pointed out that the country’s wise leadership has provided all the necessary health and medical capabilities and requirements for the sick and injured so that they can return safely to their homes, which reflects the UAE’s approach and long-standing commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and alleviating the humanitarian crisis they face, especially the most vulnerable groups, especially women and children.

Recently, Sheikh Hamdan chaired an ERC board meeting and was briefed on the organisation’s efforts to implement Operation Gallant Knight 3, with details of how resources are being dedicated to provide urgent assistance to the Palestinian people of Gaza. During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan emphasised the significance of implementing the directives of Sheikh Mohamed to provide aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza through Operation Gallant Knight 3, reaffirming the UAE’s continuous support to Palestine.

The Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent highlighted the UAE’s endeavours in supplying essential aid for Palestinians in Gaza, while standing in solidarity with those impacted by the ongoing conflict. A comprehensive Emirati field hospital has been established in the Gaza Strip to deliver essential medical support to Palestinians. The field hospital, with a 150-bed capacity, was established in multiple stages. It encompass departments for general surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics, and gynaecology, in addition to anaesthesia and intensive care units catering to both children and adults.

The facility also houses clinics for internal medicine, dentistry, psychiatry, and family medicine. Supplementary services include CT imaging, a laboratory, a pharmacy, and other medical support functions. The Emirati Field Hospital in Gaza commenced its medical services on December 4, welcoming its first two Palestinian patients suffering from severe fractures.

The first case admitted to the hospital was 17-year-old Abdul Karim Wael, who was transferred from Abu Yousef Al Najjar Hospital in Gaza. He suffers from a fracture in the right ankle and an open wound in the right knee, resulting from the fall of heavy concrete during the ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip. The patient required urgent surgical intervention to stabilise the fracture and was accompanied by his uncle to the Emirati hospital. The second case received is a 13-year-old teenager, Osama Barhoum, who was transferred from the European Gaza Hospital.

He suffers from an open fracture in the right thigh caused by a missile fragment and requires surgical intervention to stabilise the fracture. The patient arrived at the hospital with a companion. The specialised Emirati medical team in the field hospital in Gaza, consisting of qualified professionals in various medical fields, immediately dealt with both cases.

The field hospital in Gaza officially started providing its medical services on Sunday as part of the UAE’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians and support the health system in the Gaza Strip, which faces immense and unprecedented challenges. The initiative reflects the UAE’s historic stance of support and solidarity with the Palestinian people, particularly in light of the challenging circumstances currently being faced.

WAM