ID :
41617
Tue, 01/20/2009 - 15:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/41617
The shortlink copeid
UAE surgeons to help Palestinian children
Dubai, Jan 20, 2009 (WAM) - A Charitable surgical team from the UAE has returned to Palestine, in the hope of helping children injured from the Israeli invasion of Gaza on top of disabled children in the West Bank.
The Little Wings Foundation surgical team, led by orthopaedic surgeon Dr Marc Sinclair, paediatric surgeon Dr Joseph Bielek, and anaesthetist Dr David Sinclair, conducts orthopaedic and trauma surgeries in cooperation with the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund (PCRF). It is their third visit to Palestine and they came prepared, bringing medical supplies, medicine and teddy bears for the children donated by pharmaceutical firms and Dubai residents.
Israel declared unilaterally a week-long ceasefire on Gaza Sunday, the Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,300, a third of which are women and children.
Dr Sinclair told Gulf News the team hoped it would be able to help any children suffering from the Gaza violence. "We hope some kids from Gaza can get in. It depends on whether the situation improves. Just the fact of getting the kids out of that place would be great."
Other than that Dr Marc said the team would focus on operating and following up on children they had met during their previous trips.
"We will hold clinics and see who needs help. We will also identify any children who need to be brought to Dubai, for surgeries - complex cases," he said.
The team expects to perform more than 120 operations during its week's stay in the West Bank, if they work late into the night. Most of the surgery will likely be corrective procedures on congenital disabilities such as club feet and trauma procedures to treat burns.
Dr Sinclair added it might be difficult to perform all the operations. Although the ceasefire is in effect, Israeli forces are expected to be on high alert.
"Israelis have never been enthusiastic about allowing us in. They can create problems for us if they want to," he said. Aileen Culligan, the team's organiser, told Gulf News the team's work would be restricted by Israeli security measures.
"It depends on the curfew expectations. Some who live in the West Bank will be able to work late, but anyone who lives outside will have to leave early," she said.
The Little Wings Foundation surgical team, led by orthopaedic surgeon Dr Marc Sinclair, paediatric surgeon Dr Joseph Bielek, and anaesthetist Dr David Sinclair, conducts orthopaedic and trauma surgeries in cooperation with the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund (PCRF). It is their third visit to Palestine and they came prepared, bringing medical supplies, medicine and teddy bears for the children donated by pharmaceutical firms and Dubai residents.
Israel declared unilaterally a week-long ceasefire on Gaza Sunday, the Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,300, a third of which are women and children.
Dr Sinclair told Gulf News the team hoped it would be able to help any children suffering from the Gaza violence. "We hope some kids from Gaza can get in. It depends on whether the situation improves. Just the fact of getting the kids out of that place would be great."
Other than that Dr Marc said the team would focus on operating and following up on children they had met during their previous trips.
"We will hold clinics and see who needs help. We will also identify any children who need to be brought to Dubai, for surgeries - complex cases," he said.
The team expects to perform more than 120 operations during its week's stay in the West Bank, if they work late into the night. Most of the surgery will likely be corrective procedures on congenital disabilities such as club feet and trauma procedures to treat burns.
Dr Sinclair added it might be difficult to perform all the operations. Although the ceasefire is in effect, Israeli forces are expected to be on high alert.
"Israelis have never been enthusiastic about allowing us in. They can create problems for us if they want to," he said. Aileen Culligan, the team's organiser, told Gulf News the team's work would be restricted by Israeli security measures.
"It depends on the curfew expectations. Some who live in the West Bank will be able to work late, but anyone who lives outside will have to leave early," she said.
