Latest news with #SCT5
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
'Our souls are still in Gaza': Malaysians share painful mission memories
KUALA LUMPUR: Two Malaysian volunteers who recently returned from a month-long humanitarian mission in Gaza say the pain, resilience, and humanity they witnessed will stay with them forever. Mohd Azizul Hakim Danial, 35, a medical assistant with Mercy Malaysia's Specialised Care Team 5 (SCT 5), and his colleague Nurfirdaus Ibrahim, 32, spoke about their emotional journey in Gaza during an interview on Harian Metro's Apa-Apa Saja podcast. "The patient fed me a piece of pastry with their own hand — despite clearly not having had enough to eat themselves," said Azizul, recounting a moment that touched him deeply while working in a dialysis unit at a hospital that had previously been bombed. Both men spent 30 days in Gaza from March 27 to April 26, offering critical medical support amid what they described as a total collapse of the healthcare system. "We saw with our own eyes how the healthcare system has been destroyed. Many machines are damaged, water supply remains irregular, electricity supply frequently gets interrupted — but patients still seek medical assistance," Azizul said. In one small act of comfort, they pooled money to buy a birthday cake worth 100 shekels (around RM125) for a local member of staff. "To us, that may seem ordinary. But to them, it was overwhelming. Some cried — they never imagined someone would remember their birthday," he said. Azizul recalled speaking to a hospital worker who had been absent for two days. "She had been arranging the funeral for her entire family," he said. Despite their suffering, Azizul said the people of Gaza were grateful for Malaysia's support. "Children would shout, 'I love Malaysia!' when they saw us. That alone made everything feel worthwhile," he said. The team also compiled data and prepared reports for the World Health Organization (WHO), but both men were disheartened by how little they could do. "We collected so much, but it all feels like we left them halfway," said Azizul. Nurfirdaus, who also worked in the dialysis unit, recalled patients walking up to 45km just to receive treatment — with smiles on their faces despite being weak from hunger. "Some came on donkey carts, others walked for hours. One day, we had to use the same chemical drum for several machines. Staff had to carry water in buckets, adding that everything was done manually," he said. Nurfirdaus shared the story of a teenage dialysis patient who stood out for his spirit. "He's been on dialysis for five years and can operate the machine on his own. After his session, he even helps others. He still dreams of a kidney transplant — even though it's nearly impossible in Gaza." Nurfirdaus said a one-month stint was too short to make any lasting impact on a crumbling health system. "We made it back, but our souls are still in Gaza," he said. He also urged Malaysian youth to play their part in humanitarian efforts.
Sinar Daily
08-05-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Female doctor shares experience from humanitarian mission in Gaza
As the only female volunteer in MERCY Malaysia's Special Care Team 5 (SCT 5), she said the sound of bombs every night never once shook her resolve and the thought of death did not trouble her. 11 May 2025 02:00pm A young girl carries a salvaged pot inside a damaged building that was hit in an Israeli strike in the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on May 2, 2025. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP) KUALA LUMPUR - The suffering of the Palestinian people became the driving force for anaesthesiologist Dr Siti Sainira Saidin, who spent 30 days in Gaza as part of Mercy Malaysia's humanitarian mission to help residents in the conflict zone, despite the constant threat of bomb explosions. As the only female volunteer in Mercy Malaysia's Special Care Team 5 (SCT 5), she said the sound of bombs every night never once shook her resolve and the thought of death did not trouble her. Displaced Palestinian children play at a damaged lecture hall at the Islamic University campus in Gaza City on May 1, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP) "We were stationed in Gaza City, Khan Younis, and northern Gaza. Almost every night, we heard the sound of bombs exploding, but Alhamdulillah, we were able to carry out our duties according to Mercy Malaysia's standard operating procedures. "Not once did I think about dying while I was there, because life and death are determined by Allah SWT. As His servant, I simply did my best to complete the 30-day mission,' she said in a press conference at Mercy Malaysia's headquarters, here recently. Also present were Mercy Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, Global Operations chief and SCT 5 team leader Shah Fiesal Hussain, and two other volunteers, Mohd Azizul Hakim Danial and Nurfirdaus Ibrahim. Sharing her experience, Dr Siti Sainira said she and three other volunteers were tasked with providing emergency medical care at several major hospitals, including Al-Shifaa Hospital, Al-Nasser Hospital, and Kuwait Specialty Hospital, during the mission which ran from March 27 to April 26. She said she had long followed the developments and hardships faced by people in the conflict zone through media reports, and from then on, she aspired to contribute to humanitarian efforts, a dream she never imagined would come true through the SCT 5 team. "As a woman, I was deeply moved because the majority of victims in the conflict are women and children. Alhamdulillah, my wish to help them has been fulfilled,' said Dr Siti Sainira, who has served in the medical field for 17 years. Despite facing various challenges throughout the mission, including being away from her family, she said the simulation training with the General Operations Force (GOF) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) prior to departure had helped prepare her mentally and ensured her safety on the ground. - BERNAMA More Like This
Barnama
05-05-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Female Doctor Shares Experience From Humanitarian Mission In Gaza
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 (Bernama) -- The suffering of the Palestinian people became the driving force for anaesthesiologist Dr Siti Sainira Saidin, who spent 30 days in Gaza as part of MERCY Malaysia's humanitarian mission to help residents in the conflict zone, despite the constant threat of bomb explosions. As the only female volunteer in MERCY Malaysia's Special Care Team 5 (SCT 5), she said the sound of bombs every night never once shook her resolve and the thought of death did not trouble her. 'We were stationed in Gaza City, Khan Younis, and northern Gaza. Almost every night, we heard the sound of bombs exploding, but Alhamdulillah, we were able to carry out our duties according to MERCY Malaysia's standard operating procedures. 'Not once did I think about dying while I was there, because life and death are determined by Allah SWT. As His servant, I simply did my best to complete the 30-day mission,' she said in a press conference at MERCY Malaysia's headquarters, here today. Also present were MERCY Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, Global Operations chief and SCT 5 team leader Shah Fiesal Hussain, and two other volunteers, Mohd Azizul Hakim Danial and Nurfirdaus Ibrahim. Sharing her experience, Dr Siti Sainira said she and three other volunteers were tasked with providing emergency medical care at several major hospitals, including Al-Shifaa Hospital, Al-Nasser Hospital, and Kuwait Specialty Hospital, during the mission which ran from March 27 to April 26. She said she had long followed the developments and hardships faced by people in the conflict zone through media reports, and from then on, she aspired to contribute to humanitarian efforts, a dream she never imagined would come true through the SCT 5 team. 'As a woman, I was deeply moved because the majority of victims in the conflict are women and children. Alhamdulillah, my wish to help them has been fulfilled,' said Dr Siti Sainira, who has served in the medical field for 17 years. Despite facing various challenges throughout the mission, including being away from her family, she said the simulation training with the General Operations Force (GOF) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) prior to departure had helped prepare her mentally and ensured her safety on the ground.
Barnama
05-05-2025
- Health
- Barnama
MERCY Malaysia's Fifth Medical Team Returns From Gaza Humanitarian Mission
KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 (Bernama) -- MERCY Malaysia's fifth Specialised Care Team (SCT 5) has returned safely from Gaza after successfully completing a one-month humanitarian mission from March 27 to April 26. The team was deployed under the coordination of the World Health Organization's Emergency Medical Teams Coordination Cell (WHO EMTCC), in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. President of MERCY Malaysia, Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus said the mission was part of the organisation's continuous efforts to provide impartial and needs-based humanitarian assistance, especially in conflict zones. 'The return of SCT 5 marks not only the successful conclusion of a vital mission, but also reaffirms our commitment to humanitarian action grounded in humanity and impartiality. 'In Gaza, the scale of need remains staggering. We call on all relevant authorities to facilitate unhindered access to humanitarian assistance and to uphold the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, in accordance with international humanitarian law,' he said during a press conference held at MERCY Malaysia's headquarters here today. Dr Ahmad Faizal said the team provided critical medical care at several severely impacted facilities in Gaza, including the Al-Shifaa Hospital, Al-Nasser Hospital and Kuwait Specialty Hospital. Working alongside local health personnel, they treated hundreds of patients suffering from blast injuries, fractures, burns and infections stemming from overcrowded shelters and poor access to clean water. He added that the mission was carried out in close collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Health, WHO EMTCC and other local partners, ensuring medical relief was aligned with broader humanitarian priorities and long-term recovery efforts. 'The SCT 5 was initially deployed in early recovery mode, but due to the breakdown of the ceasefire, the mission had to quickly shift into emergency response mode,' said Dr Ahmad Faizal who also voiced concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, highlighting that for the past 60 days including the month of Ramadan and Syawal—no aid has been allowed to enter Gaza due to an ongoing blockade.
