Global Humanitarian Work
Dr. Thomson Global Humanitarian Efforts
A Deeper Commitment to Global Humanitarian Work
For Dr. Ben Thomson, humanitarian work is about more than just short-term medical missions. While many physicians may travel to provide immediate relief, Dr. Thomson has always focused on something deeper—long-term development and sustainability. His goal is to ensure that the communities he works with are empowered to continue improving their healthcare systems long after he has left.
It’s not just about offering medical care during a brief visit. Dr. Thomson believes in building infrastructure, such as women’s health centers, and capacity-building, through training and investing in academia. Both are essential to addressing ongoing public health needs. His vision is not just to treat patients but to equip local healthcare workers and organizations with the tools to sustain and grow their own programs.
Through his global humanitarian work, Dr. Thomson has formed long-lasting friendships and connected with people in a way that goes beyond medical treatment. He remembers the names and stories of the people he has treated, and their experiences stay with him. These personal connections inspire him to continue working toward sustainable healthcare solutions that will truly benefit communities in the long run. For Dr. Thomson, true impact happens not just during his presence but in the lasting changes that continue long after the mission ends.
Keys of Health Fellowship
Empowering Palestinians to Reclaim Their Health
The Keys of Health Fellowship was born not only from a practical need for advanced medical training in underserved regions but also from a powerful symbol deeply rooted in the Palestinian experience. The name “Keys of Health” is inspired by the tradition of Palestinian families who, when forcibly uprooted from their homes during the Israeli occupation, would hold on to the key of their home. This key, a symbol commonly seen across Gaza and Palestine, represents the hope and determination to return. During the Nakba in 1948, many Palestinians kept the keys to the homes from which they were expelled, and to this day, they are still denied the right to return. Even after losing everything, the key symbolizes their aspiration and enduring belief that one day they will reclaim what was lost. It represents hope, ownership, and the commitment to a better future.
Much like the key represents the hope of return, the Keys of Health Fellowship carries the aspiration to return healthcare ownership to local communities in marginalized regions. The fellowship aims to reduce reliance on foreign medical missions by empowering local physicians to care for their communities year-round. By offering specialized medical training, the fellowship enables healthcare professionals in Gaza to strengthen local systems, ensuring that even amid overwhelming challenges, ongoing siege, and limited resources, these communities can rebuild and fortify their healthcare infrastructure.
Since 2012, this initiative, supported by Global Affairs Canada and the Ontario Council for International Cooperation, has already made a significant impact, particularly in Gaza, where healthcare resources are scarce.
For Dr. Ben Thomson, the Keys of Health Fellowship is about restoring dignity, empowerment, and long-term sustainability to Palestinians. Just as the key symbolizes their hope of returning and reclaiming their homes, this fellowship seeks to give them the tools to reclaim their health and well-being.
EmpowerGaza
Offering Palestinians Sustainable Energy for Life Saving Care
After Dr. Ben Thomson’s first trip to Gaza in 2012, he was struck by the unpredictable healthcare infrastructure. The energy supply in Gaza’s hospitals was precarious, unreliable, and frequently disrupted, especially during periods of conflict when the demand for critical care surges. Emergency Departments, Operating Rooms, and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) were hit the hardest, leaving the most vulnerable patients at risk. Dr. Thomson recognized that in order to provide safe, continuous care, a sustainable and reliable energy source was essential.
In response to this urgent need, Dr. Thomson, along with his colleague Dr. Tarek Loubani, co-founded the EmpowerGaza project. Their goal was simple but powerful—to save lives by installing solar panels on four major hospitals in Gaza. This renewable energy would provide reliable, green power 24 hours a day, ensuring that even during the most challenging times, critical care units—such as emergency rooms, ICUs, and operating theatres—could continue to function.
By harnessing solar power, the project not only delivered an immediate solution to a life-threatening problem but also provided a long-term, sustainable energy source for Gaza’s healthcare system. The EmpowerGaza initiative continues to empower Gaza’s hospitals, ensuring they can provide critical care regardless of the external circumstances.
Dr. Ben Thomson is also actively involved in various public health humanitarian initiatives, contributing his expertise to improve healthcare access in vulnerable communities.