Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) continues to execute its project to perform surgeries for poor patients in Gaza, which involves major and life-saving operations in the specialties of cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedics, and urology.

The head of QRCS's representation office in Gaza Dr. Akram Nassar, said the project was part of the Medical Expertise and Training Recruitment Project, aimed at enhancing the health sector, improving the quality of health services offered for Palestinian patients, and reducing the negative impact of continued blockade and recurrent wars on Gaza.

He noted that QRCS contracted a number of consultant physicians to perform specialized surgeries for Gaza patients, as well as to train the local medical professionals and develop their skills to handle different medical procedures.

According to Dr. Nassar, the project will help to shorten the waiting lists at hospitals and reduce the need to refer patients for treatment abroad, thus easing the financial and health burdens on the Ministry of Health (MOH) and families of patients. Also, It will ensure uninterrupted health services at Gaza hospitals.

Regarding the cardiological interventions under the project, QRCS's consultant cardiac surgeon in Gaza Dr. Saher Abo Ghali, gave an overview of his surgeries at the Al-Shefaa Medical Complex in Gaza City. These included arteriovenous (AV) stent placements for coronary artery disease using off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), or beating heart technique.

Since early in February 2021, he has performed 44 surgical operations and follow-ups.

The overall cost of the project is USD 789,142.

QRCS has sponsored the Medical Expertise and Training Recruitment Project for 12 years, executing eight sub-projects with an overall cost of QR 23 million, to back Gaza's health system, keep it serving, and prevent its failure amid the political and economic challenges.

(QNA)