English translation: Erik Abild, NORWAC, Photos: John Eivind Jensen, NORWAC
In cooperation with NORWAC, Oslo University Hospital will contribute to increase the medical capacity in Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem and Gaza. In November, a delegation from Oslo University Hospital travelled to the area in order to learn about the needs and possibilities for cooperation.
At the Shifa Hospital in Gaza and at Makasset Hospital in East Jerusalem, there is a great need to increase the medical competency. During the last year, doctors and nurses from Oslo University Hospital have trained colleagues at Makassed Hospital in using laparoscopic surgery in gynaecological procedures. NORWAC (Norwegian Aid Committee) have supplied the advanced equipment, enabling a Palestinian Hospital to do such surgical procedures for the
In Gaza, the delegation visited hospitals damaged during the war. Tove Strand together with gynaecologist Bassam Aktar.
Future cooperation
The cooperation is now going to be developed and expanded. Deputy Director at Oslo University Hospital, Tove Strand, has, together with Head of Clinic at the new Women and Child department Terje Rootwelt and Head of Department Bjørn Busund, visited the hospitals in cooperation with NORWAC. The Norwegian Ministry of Forreign Affairs has given the aid organisation the necessary funds to establish the cooperation.
From left: Busund, Strand, Head of Board at Makassed Arafat Hidmi,
Rootwelt and Hospital Director Rustom Nammari.
Tove Strand together with gynaecologist Bassam Aktar who has received
training in laparoscopic surgery.
During the visit, the delegation learned about the political situation and Norway’s role in the area, also within development and humanitarian aid. The delegation met with local health authorities.
”We consider it as very valuable to be able to exchange competencies and experiences with hospitals in other countries. The conditions in this area is difficult and our efforts can contribute to increase the quality of health services here. In addition, we can also gain important experiences for our own work in Norway.”
Committed health professionals
Head of the Female and Child clinic, Terje Rootwelt, considers this type of cooperation as important.
”We met many committed health professionals who has had limited contact with professional environments outside their own, but who strongly desire such professional cooperation. To contribute in helping colleagues who work under completely different situation than our own gives us a positive experience. We ourselves have committed groups of health professionals, and here we have the opportunity to contribute towards long-term rebuilding and development efforts”, says Rootwelt.
Starting with women and children
NORWAC explains that the work which has been done so far has been very successful. In their view, the cooperation can be expanded into other areas.
”Oslo University Hospital has considerable expertise. Transferring such expertise and knowledge within women and children’s health is a good starting point. In the future, trauma and cancer treatment can be areas for expansion, with heart surgery also being a later possibility,” says John Eivind Jensen from NORWAC.
