Latest news with #AlAmalHospital
Arab News
19 hours ago
- Health
- Arab News
Gaza's Al-Amal hospital ‘virtually out of service': WHO
GENEVA: The Al-Amal Hospital in Gaza, one of the few still operating in the Palestinian territory, is now 'virtually out of service' due to intense military activity, the head of the WHO said Monday. 'Access to the hospital is obstructed, preventing new patients from reaching care, and leading to more preventable deaths,' the World Health Organization's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on X. Tedros said two emergency medical teams — one local, the other international — 'are still doing their best to serve the remaining patients with the limited medical supplies left on the premises.' 'With the closure of Al-Amal, Nasser Medical Complex is now the only remaining hospital with an intensive care unit in Khan Younis,' he said. The WHO said June 5 that Al-Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals were unable to fully treat the wounded that continue to pour in because of serious shortages of medicines and medical supplies after two months of total blockade. Israeli authorities have recently allowed in some humanitarian aid, but way less than what is needed. Nearly 20 months of relentless war, triggered by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, has created one of the most serious humanitarian crises in the world, with civilians exhausted by bombardments, forced displacement and hunger.
LBCI
02-06-2025
- General
- LBCI
Israeli army issues evacuation warning for west of Gaza's Khan Yunis
The Israeli military issued an evacuation order for residents of several western parts of Gaza's Khan Yunis on Monday, saying Hamas was operating in those areas. "The Israeli military will operate with intense force in the areas where you are present," Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee told residents, noting that the order did not include Al-Amal hospital. "For your safety, evacuate immediately west to Al-Mawasi." AFP
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Israeli strikes ‘shredding people to pieces' in Gaza: British surgeon
LONDON: Israeli strikes on Gaza are 'shredding people to pieces,' a British surgeon working in hospitals there has told the Daily Telegraph. Tom Potokar, a plastic surgeon working in southern Gaza, said he was at the European Hospital when it was attacked by Israel. Its new offensive has been met by international condemnation, with Gaza's Health Ministry saying hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in recent days. Potokar, who is now stationed at Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis, said: 'You have to consider that the Gaza Strip is, geographically, a very small area and yet there are nearly two million people living here. 'So, when you drop ordnance — with the amounts being used and the type of weapons being used in such a small, densely populated area — you are literally shredding people to pieces.' Potokar was forced to move hospital three times in the past week to avoid Israeli bombing. Describing the attack on the European Hospital, he said: 'It is difficult to imagine how human beings can treat other human beings in this way. To see children particularly with horrific injuries and amputations, to see pregnant women requiring major surgery — it's absolute brutality.' Israeli attacks on hospitals have drawn widespread condemnation from humanitarian organizations. The UN Human Rights Office and Human Rights Watch said Israeli bombardment is pushing Gaza's already-damaged healthcare system to the brink of collapse. Potokar was also near an airstrike that hit Al-Amal Hospital. 'It was around 6 a.m. and a massive strike happened about 400 meters from the hospital, with heavy machine gun fire and helicopters,' he said. 'Thankfully, there were no casualties in the hospital, but a huge piece of shrapnel landed in front of the emergency room.' He added: 'What is the West doing, what is the rest of the world doing? Churning out press statement after press statement but nothing is changing. 'This will be a stain on humanity when people look back in years to come, when we say 'how did we allow this to happen?' We've been here before, and no lessons are being learned.' Potokar said: 'The killing goes on, the slaughter goes on and these are people like you and me.'
The National
15-04-2025
- General
- The National
Zayed National Museum wants its doors open to all
A museum can tell the story of a community effectively only when the community is at its heart. Museums have long been seen as repositories of history and knowledge, places where artefacts and stories are preserved and displayed. At Zayed National Museum, our mission extends beyond showcasing history to fostering authentic connections between the museum's narrative and every member of the community. The driving force behind our mission is the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, who recognised the historical and cultural richness in this land. His vision was to share this heritage with future generations, instilling a sense of pride and awareness of our roots. The museum represents this vision, not only in preserving the past but also making it relevant and accessible to all. A museum is, at its core, a place for human connection. It is a bridge that links past and present, people and ideas, cultures and experiences. When people see themselves in the exhibits, they develop a personal bond with the museum, making the experience an active engagement with culture. At Zayed National Museum, whether exploring galleries that showcase 300,000 years of human history, or learning about the early settlements of the nation, visitors will find echoes of their own experiences in the stories on display. The concept of inclusivity in museums requires effort to reach communities that may have previously not been able to engage with cultural institutions or initiatives. Our teams have researched communities who may benefit from a connection with our museum. One example of this is our work with Al Amal Hospital and our engagement with elderly people living with dementia through the Al Dhuha Hour programme. Through specialised programmes, we have been able to bring the museum experience to them, providing opportunities for engagement with storytelling and creative activities. Similarly, our initiatives for People of Determination reflect our dedication to making the museum accessible to all by making the physical space a natural extension of their environment. Instead of assuming what accessibility looks like, we engage directly with those who are affected to create solutions that truly work for them. The development of Braille signage for the museum is an area we have worked on. To properly execute it, we needed to understand the nuances of Arabic Braille and so we worked closely with the visually impaired community to ensure its effectiveness. We also have trained and licensed sign language interpreters, who will provide guided tours of Zayed National Museum for the hearing-impaired community. These efforts are not mere accommodations, they are fundamental steps in making the museum an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. Inclusivity is not just about accessibility; it is about fostering a sense of belonging. Addressing the diverse needs of people with different abilities is not a simple task, but it is a necessary one. We consult experts to ensure our programmes cater to varying requirements, and we have formed partnerships with institutions that share our vision of inclusivity. Through these efforts, we have established working groups with the communities that we are trying to engage with. These groups provide feedback on our policies, ensuring that our efforts align with the needs of the communities we aim to serve. As part of our commitment to expanding accessibility, we are exploring new ways to create immersive experiences tailored to different communities. One such initiative is the development of multisensory tours, allowing visually impaired people to engage with museum content through tactile exploration. Additionally, we are implementing sensory maps that identify high-stimulation areas within the museum, helping neurodiverse visitors navigate the space comfortably. A particularly exciting project is the introduction of a designated calm room, a safe space designed to accommodate visitors who may experience sensory overload. These efforts aim to ensure that everyone can enjoy the museum experience without exclusion or discomfort. Inclusion is not an afterthought; it is a strategic objective. We are committed to building bridges, reaching out to those who feel unheard, and ensuring that every visitor, regardless of ability or background, finds a place in our museum. The stories housed within our walls are not just artefacts of history, they are testament to the interconnectedness of our world and the instilled values of the UAE. And through them, we invite everyone to be part of our shared journey of connection, understanding and belonging.
