TWO MALAYSIAN MEDICAL SPECIALISTS IN GAZA, SAYS MERCY MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Two Malaysian medical specialists have
entered Gaza, said Mercy Malaysia vice president Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus
Monday.

The two doctors were anesthetist Prof Dr Ikram Mohd Salleh who is Mercy
Malaysia executive council member and surgeon Dr Al-Amin Mohamed Daud who is a
volunteer, he said.

He said they entered Gaza through Rafah on the Egyptian border at 9pm Sunday
Malaysian time.

"We have yet to know where they have been assigned to. Probably the two
specialists have moved to a predeterminend hospital but I have not obtained
information which hospital because it depends on need and the security aspect.

"Their task is to assess and make recommendations on the needs of hospitals
in Gaza in terms of medical and other requirements and perform specialist
treatment there," he told reporters after delivering a talk on "Humanitarian
Relief for Gaza - What are our roles".

The talk was part of the Solidarity For Gaza programme organised by
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) at the Medical Education
Complex, Chancellor Tunku Ja'afar Hall here.

Palestinian Centre of Excellence (PACE) director Assoc Prof Dr Hafidzi Mohd
Nor also gave a talk at the function.

Through the programme, UKMMC also raised funds for Mercy Malaysia to help
the Palestinians in Gaza.

Dr Faizal said Mercy Malaysia was in the process of sending another medical
team comprising between six and 10 medical specialists and surgeons to Gaza if
the Egyptian authority allowed them to pass through.

"At present, ordinary doctors are not allowed to enter Gaza because the
Egyptian authority only gives permission to specialists to enter the area to
carry out relief efforts," he said.

MERCY Malaysia, Malaysian Medical Relief Society, is a volunteer relief
organization with the objective to provide medical and humanitarian services at
home and abroad.
-- BERNAMA