Our Appeal for 2010
As we shall see elsewhere in this edition, the St John Eye Hospital Group has much to celebrate as 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of our main hospital building in East Jerusalem. Always responsive to the environment and to how we can best help those who most need our charitable services, the Jerusalem Hospital has found itself literally having to shift location three times during its 128 year history.
After moving from its original site in what is now West Jerusalem, when Israel and Jordan carved up the city between them after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, our Hospital was temporarily housed in the Old City, which had been annexed by Jordan. In 1955, however, the decision was made to create a purpose
built hospital in the Sheikh Jarrah district of East Jerusalem and, in 1960, this new building became our permanent home.
To mark this special anniversary year, we are launching a fundraising appeal for the much needed upgrade of the Jerusalem Hospital’s Medical Retinal Unit. Retinal medicine includes the treatment of both diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. We need to raise £150,000 ($241,700) in order to realise this very important project.
The spread of diabetes has already reached pandemic proportions. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that developing economies will endure 80% of all new cases in the first quarter of the 21st century. Diabetic retinopathy affects up to 80% of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or more. It is the most common cause of blindness in working age populations across the globe.
Once vision is lost to diabetic retinopathy, it is seldom possible to regain it. In the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT), the prevalence of diabetes already stands at between 470,000 and 570,000, or 12-15% of the population of 3,800,000. In response to this looming ophthalmic catastrophe, we need to improve our existing Retinal Unit now so that we are best prepared to help the increasing numbers who are going to need us very soon!
Despite the intimidating statistics, a vast reduction in new cases of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy could be achieved with vigilant screening, treatment and monitoring of the eyes. This will require the best and most up-to-date Retinal Unit that we can provide.
Our main hospital in East Jerusalem has some of the best diagnostic and surgical services in the locality, but at present our Retinal Unit suffers from a lack of space and limited equipment.
By expanding and upgrading the Retinal Unit we will be able to examine more patients and prevent the delays in surgery which can lead to irreversible deterioration in vision.
If you would like to help us raise £150,000 in order to upgrade these vital services and celebrate our 50th anniversary, please click here, or please contact Nicky Wynne on 020 7553 6969 or email nicky [dot] wynne [at] stjohneyehospital [dot] org
To Raise £150,000 for the Upgrade of our Medical Retinal Unit.