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A Tribute to My Colleagues
In September, Dr. Hammam, Dr. Rafat and I in Gaza started to develop a training program in nephrology. Dr. Rafat was killed in an Israeli air strike November 17. Dr. Hammam was killed in an Israeli air strike November 12. Both were Heroes.
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My Love for Gaza: A Bond Beyond Borders, A Connection Beyond Words
In 2012, I was invited to Gaza as part of a team brought in by the Ministry of Health to conduct a needs assessment. My role was to focus on nephrology, visiting various hospitals and clinics to evaluate how we could improve services for patients with kidney conditions. Initially, the plan was for me to…
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The uncertain fate of patients needing life-saving dialysis treatment in Gaza
More than 100 days into the brutal assault on Gaza, over 27,000 Palestinians have been killed — of whom 60 per cent have been children and women — and 66,000 injured, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The destruction of Gaza’s health-care system has been catastrophic. The WHO says that, as of Jan. 5, there have been more…
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The Power of an Undirected Kidney Donation
As a nephrologist, I’ve spent years watching patients on dialysis endure the uncertainty, pain, and emotional strain of waiting for a kidney transplant. The toll it takes on them and their families is something I see up close every day. Their resilience is remarkable, but their suffering is deeply impactful to witness. Even after overcoming…
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Why Humanitarian Physicians in Gaza Are Different
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to witness firsthand the resilience of people living under unimaginable conditions. Whether its Indigenous communities in Canada, in Uganda, or the besieged strip of Gaza, I’ve always believed that as a physician, a humanitarian, and a human being, my role is to do whatever is within my power to…
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Why Speaking Out About My Cancer Matters
Being diagnosed with cancer while in medical school was an experience that changed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined. As a young student focused on becoming a doctor, my world suddenly shifted. The diagnosis came swiftly, but so did the care. Within a week, I underwent surgery, followed by radiation treatments. What made…
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Health Care Under Blockade
Notes for Health Care Professionals Facing Gaza’s Health Crisis In 2007, Israel and Egypt tightened the blockade on Gaza, which begun in 2000. The Israeli Knesset declared that “the movement of goods into the Gaza Strip will be restricted. The supply of gas and electricity will be reduced, and restrictions will be imposed on the…