Welcome to the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group Monthly bulletin where we aim to bring you the latest information about the crisis and its impacts on our expert eye-care services in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Please note this bulletin will be updated monthly.
Click here for details of our Saving Sight in Gaza Appeal.
Update – January 2024
Gaza
The Gaza conflict has entered its 16th month with hostilities spreading all over the Gaza Strip. Some 47,000 people are reported to have been killed and more than 110,000 have been injured. It has also been reported that some 1,000 health care workers have been killed during the conflict.
Over the past week, both parties have been engaged in indirect negotiations in Qatar and, as a result, a ceasefire agreement has been reached which came into effect on Sunday 19th January. The agreement has three phases with phase one lasting 42 days of ceasefire and entails the release of 33 Israeli hostages. It is also reported that Gazans will be able to move from the south to the north of the Gaza Strip, which will be a major development for our staff who have been displaced in the south of Gaza for over a year. The possible return of our staff to the north would enable us to have a better understanding of our hospital building’s condition and may even enable us to start planning phase three of our strategy, which entails the restoration of services at the St. John Gaza Hospital.
We have continued phases one and two of our medical intervention plans at 5 locations in the south, middle and north of the Gaza Strip. In 2024, more than 31,000 patients have been treated by teams. We are in urgent need of securing a third shipment of Avastin injections to Gaza. We liaise closely with the WHO and hope the shipment will arrive at Gaza shortly. We have not yet been able to send our laser machines to Gaza as this shipment has not been approved by the Israeli Border Control Authority. It is, however, believed that with the ceasefire, humanitarian support to Gaza will increase significantly which might give us an opportunity to ship more supplies to the teams on the ground.
Twenty-seven of our staff have been engaged in the delivery of eye care and they remain safe and unharmed. Seven staff members remain in Egypt, and it is unlikely they will be able to return to Gaza unless there is a proper and long-lasting ceasefire.
For detailed information on the current Gaza crisis, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: https://www.ochaopt.org/crisis
Jerusalem and the West Bank
The security situation in the West Bank (WB) and East Jerusalem remains fragile with sporadic incidents and violence on an almost daily basis, especially in the northern districts.
Our outpatient clinical activities in Jerusalem have reached 100% capacity where most of the outpatients are from the Jerusalem district. As for surgery, the Jerusalem Hospital operates at almost 95% capacity as compared to the pre-war period.
Despite all the challenges and hardships faced in 2024, more than 175,000 patients have received eye care services at the Hospital Group.
As for the Nablus Hospital, renovation work is progressing, however, there have been some interruptions in the supply chain of certain machines including the operating theatres air handling unit. The contractor is due to hand over the premises at the end of January 2025. If all goes as planned, the Nablus Surgical Day Hospital should be ready to receive patients in the first week of March 2025.
Update – December 2024
Gaza
The Gaza conflict has entered its fifteenth month with hostilities spreading across the Gaza Strip. Some 43,000 people are reported to have been killed and more than 100,000 have been injured. It has also been reported that some 500 healthcare workers have been killed during the conflict.
As a result of the land incursion on Rafah City, the border crossing has remained closed for the past 5 months which has resulted in a worsening humanitarian situation due to severe shortages of food and medical supplies.
We have continued phases one and two of our medical intervention plans at six locations in the south, middle and north of the Gaza Strip. This year to date, more than 23,000 patients have been treated by the teams. We have recently managed to send two shipments of Avastin injections and one shipment of cleaning and stationery supplies into Gaza, thanks to assistance from the WHO.
We have not yet been able to send our laser machines to Gaza as this shipment has not been approved by the Israeli Border Control Authority. We are now working with the Jordanian Royal Court to deliver three medical equipment including the Laser machines via the Jordanian-Israel Humanitarian Corridor.
As for our staff, most are residing in Rafah and Deir El Balah (south of the Gaza Strip) and remain unharmed. Five of our staff remain in Egypt and it is unlikely they will be able to come back to Gaza unless there is a proper and long-lasting ceasefire. Due to the increased workload, 24 staff members have been engaged in the medical response on both part- and full-time basis.
For detailed information on the current Gaza crisis, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: https://www.ochaopt.org/crisis
Jerusalem and the West Bank
The security situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem remains fragile with sporadic incidents of violence on an almost daily basis, especially in the northern districts.
Our outpatient clinical activities in Jerusalem have reached 100% capacity where most of the outpatients are from the Jerusalem district. As for surgery, the Jerusalem Hospital operates at almost 95% capacity compared with the pre-war period.
At the Hebron Hospital, clinical activities have been sustained at 100% capacity with an increased number of surgeries performed at the Hospital every week.
Despite all the challenges and hardships, this year to date, more than 148,000 patients have received eye care services at the Hospital Group. Based on the current level of clinical activities, we are expecting to end the year with more than 165,000 patients being treated across the whole Group including Gaza.
As for the Nablus Hospital, renovation work is progressing very well with the planned completion date in mid-late December. If all goes as planned, the Nablus Surgical Day Hospital should be ready to receive patients on the 5th of January 2025.
Update – November 2024
Gaza
Hostilities in Gaza and Israel have continued for almost 13 months with an increased number of casualties. It is reported that more than 42,000 people have been killed and 99,000 injured in the Gaza Strip. It is also reported that 1,500 Israelis have been killed with more than 5,400 injured since October 7th, 2023.
In the past few weeks, Israeli forces have renewed their land incursion in the north of Gaza, mainly in Jabalia Camp. This has resulted in the displacement of more than 40,000 people who have experienced grim living conditions. The SJEHG emergency medical intervention has continued despite the escalation of hostilities in Rafah, Deir El Balah, and north Gaza.
Over the past month, our teams treated more than 2,900 patients, and more than 20,000 patients have received treatment in Gaza since April 2024. As previously reported, we started phase two of the medical interventional plan that focuses on treating those who suffer from diabetic retinopathy.
We conducted more than 60 laser sessions last month and administered Avastin intravitreal injection to more than 50 patients. This sight saving intervention is an essential pillar of our fight against blindness in Gaza and the work so far is progressing as planned. In full coordination with the WHO, we are in the process of planning a second shipment of Avastin injections to Gaza.
For detailed information on the current Gaza crisis, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: https://www.ochaopt.org/crisis Â
Jerusalem and the West Bank
The security situation in the West Bank (WB) and East Jerusalem remains fragile with sporadic incidents and violence on an almost daily basis, especially in the northern districts. Our outpatient clinical activities in Jerusalem continue at 98% capacity where most of the outpatients are from the Jerusalem district. As for surgery, the Jerusalem Hospital operates at almost 95% capacity as compared to the pre-war period.
At the Hebron Hospital, clinical activities have been sustained at 100% capacity with an increased number of surgeries performed at the Hospital every week. Despite all the challenges and hardships, this year to date, more than 135,000 patients have received eye care services at the Hospital Group. Based on the current levels of activities, it is expected to end the year with more than 160,000 patients being treated across the whole Group including Gaza.
As for the Nablus Hospital, renovation work is progressing very well with a planned completion by the end of November. The Nablus Surgical Hospital should be ready to receive patients on the 5th of January 2025.
Update – October 2024
Hostilities in Gaza and Israel have continued for more than 11 months with an increased number of casualties. It is reported that more than 41,500 people have been killed and 97,000 injured in the Gaza Strip. It is also reported that 1,500 Israelis have been killed with more than 5,400 injured since October 7th, 2023. Israeli forces have continued with a land incursion in Rafah City and the
surrounding areas and as a result the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been closed for the past 4 months.
The SJEHG emergency medical intervention has continued despite the escalation in hostilities in Rafah, Deir El Balah, and surrounding areas. Over the past month, our teams treated more than 2500 patients, and more than 18,000 patients have received treatment in Gaza since April 2024.
With a very well-established phase one of our intervention, we are keen to move to phase two in the next few weeks. In doing so, we have started LASER therapy for diabetic patients, using an available Laser machine at one of the local health care centres. We unfortunately, have not yet been able to deliver one of our LASER machines to Gaza as COGAT’s (Israeli Boarder Authority) approval has not been granted.
We have liaised with WHO to send a trial shipment of Avastin injections. This medication requires refrigerating when transported which is logistically challenging. 100 injections have been sent with the WHO and are likely to arrive in Gaza in the next 24 hours.
As for our staff, 20 of them remain engaged in clinical work, and all continue to be safe and unharmed.
For detailed information on the current Gaza crisis, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website https://www.ochaopt.org/crisis
The security situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem remains fragile with sporadic incidents and violence on an almost daily basis, especially in the northern districts.
Our outpatient clinical activities in Jerusalem continue at 98% capacity where most of the outpatients are from the Jerusalem district. As for surgery, the Jerusalem Hospital is operating at almost 95% capacity as compared to the prewar period.
At the Hebron Hospital, clinical activities have been sustained at 100% capacity with an increased number of surgeries performed at the Hospital every week.
Despite all the challenges and hardships, this year to date, more than 125,000 patients have received eye care services at the Hospital Group. Based on the current levels of activities, it is expected to end the year with more than 155,000 patients being treated across the whole Group including Gaza.
Update – 24.07.2024
The SJEHG emergency medical intervention has continued despite the escalation in hostilities in Rafah and surrounding areas. We continue to provide primary eye care and basic public health services at 4 locations in the south, middle and north of Gaza.
Over the past month our team treated more than 2500 patients and more than 10,000 patients have received treatment since April 2024. We have been able to undertake minor lid surgeries at one of our sites located in the north of the Gaza Strip.
We have managed to secure sufficient medical supplies locally and we are delighted that our shipment of medical equipment and medications has reached Gaza City through the Jordanian- Israeli Humanitarian Corridor. However, we have not yet been able to transport this to the south where we have a secure storage facility.
With a very well-established phase one of our intervention, we are keen to move to phase two in the next few weeks. This will focus on the prevention of blindness and treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy and will start as soon as we are able to transport refrigerated medications across the border.
For detailed information on the current Gaza crisis, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website- https://www.ochaopt.org/crisis
Our outpatient clinical activities in Jerusalem continue at 95% capacity where most of the outpatients are from the Jerusalem district. As for surgery, the Jerusalem Hospital operates at almost 85% capacity as compared to the pre-war period.
At the Hebron Hospital, clinical activities have been sustained at almost 98% capacity with an increased number of surgeries performed at the Hospital every week.
Outreach services including the child vision screening project are progressing very well with an increased number of patients screened and referred, especially from refugee camps.
To date, more than 47,000 children have been screened by the 3 teams across the WB refugee camps as well as in East Jerusalem. Almost 20% of those screened needed referrals for further examinations, diagnostic procedures, and surgeries at our Group’s facilities.
Click here for details of our Emergency Appeal.
Update – 21.05.24
With hostilities in Gaza and Israel continuing for the past eight months, it is reported that more than 34,500 people have now been killed and 76,000 injured in the Gaza Strip. It is also reported that 1,200 Israelis have been killed with more than 5,400 injured. The two parties (Israel and Hamas) have failed to reach a ceasefire agreement.
Israeli forces have started a land incursion in the eastern parts of Rafah City as well as the Rafah Crossing Complex. Some 800,000 refugees have sought refuge in other safer areas, mainly in the middle of the Gaza Strip. There have also been extensive military activities in parts of Gaza City as well as neighbouring refugee camps.
The SJEHG emergency medical interventions have continued despite the escalation in hostilities in Rafah. Our teams provide primary eye care services at 4 locations but had to suspend work at one of the field hospitals in Rafah due to safety concerns.
On average 1,000 patients are examined and treated every week in Gaza.
We have secured sufficient medical supplies for 2 months and we are still waiting for a sizeable delivery of equipment and medical supplies to reach Gaza once the humanitarian border crossing resumes its work.
With a very well-established phase one of our intervention, we are keen to go to phase two in the next few months.
Phase two will focus on the prevention of blindness and treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy which will start as soon as we are able to transport refrigerated medication across the border.
Phase three of this plan, which we anticipate will not commence before the end of the year, will focus on the rehabilitating and re-equipping of the hospital in Gaza City which can only commence once there is a permanent ceasefire.
As for our staff, most who were residing in Rafah City have now moved to Deir El Balah (middle of the Gaza Strip) and remain unharmed. The Hospital has continued to pay staff despite all the challenges.
For detailed information about the situation on the ground, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website – https://www.ochaopt.org/crisis.
Website update 23.04.24
With hostilities in Gaza and Israel continuing for the past seven months, it is reported that more than 34,000 people have now been killed and 72,000 injured in the Gaza Strip. It is also reported that 1,200 Israelis have been killed with more than 5,400 injured. The two parties (Israel and Hamas) have failed to reach a ceasefire agreement.
Many of the hostilities are in the southern parts of the Gaza Strip with a major concern regarding possible land incursions in Rafah where some 1.2 million displaced people are residing.
We are delighted to report that we have recommenced our services in Gaza as part of a three-phase emergency medical response plan.
Phase One, which started on the 20th of April, involves setting up three workstations in the south and middle parts of the Strip in partnership with other humanitarian health care providers namely UK Med, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and United Nations.
This includes vision screening, comprehensive eye examinations, treatment of eye infections and inflammations, treatment of chronic diseases such as glaucoma, suturing and dressing of wounds.
Phases Two and Three will focus on the prevention of blindness and treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy and rehabilitating and re-equipping our hospital in Gaza City.
We are most grateful to our national and international humanitarian partners who have enabled us to implement this logistically challenging plan.
As for our staff, most are residing in Rafah and Deir El Balah (south of the Gaza Strip) and remain unharmed. The Hospital has continued to pay staff despite all the challenges.
For detailed information about the situation on the ground, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website – https://www.ochaopt.org/crisis.
To read in full about our emergency response click here to subscribe to our latest edition of the Jerusalem Scene: https://www.stjohneyehospital.org/subscribe/
Update – 20.03.24
With hostilities in Gaza and Israel continuing for the past 165 days, it is reported that more than 31,000 people have now been killed and 70,000 injured in the Gaza Strip. It is also reported that 1,200 Israelis have been killed with more than 5,400 injured. The two parties (Israel and Hamas) are now engaged in indirect negotiations to reach a ceasefire agreement.
Many of the hostilities are in the southern parts of the Gaza Strip with a major concern regarding possible land incursions in Rafah where some 1.2 million displaced people are residing.
SJEHG staff are now engaged in discussions with the major health care responders in Gaza including, the World Health Organization, Care International, and International Medical Corps.
Our staff on the ground have secured at least one location to serve as a semi-mobile unit in Deir El Balah. We have also secured an approval from The Unit for Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) to move medical equipment and medications to Gaza in preparation for ophthalmic medical responses which should commence as soon as there is a reasonable ceasefire agreement.
As for our staff, most are residing in Rafah and Deir El Balah (south of the Gaza Strip) and remain unharmed. The Hospital has continued to pay staff despite all the challenges.
For detailed information about the situation on the ground, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website – https://www.ochaopt.org/crisis.
In East Jerusalem and the West Bank, the security situation remains fragile with sporadic incidents on a daily basis. There has been no relaxation of restrictions on movement during the month of Ramadan.
Our outpatient clinical activities in Jerusalem continue at 75% capacity where most of the outpatients are from the Jerusalem district.
As for surgery, the Jerusalem Hospital operates at almost 75% capacity as compared to the pre-war period.
At the Hebron Hospital, clinical activities have been sustained at almost 95% capacity with an increased number of surgeries performed at the Hospital every week.
Outreach services as well as the child vision screening project are progressing very well with an increased number of patients screened and referred, especially from West Bank refugee camps. To date, more than 20,000 children have been screened by the 3 teams across the West Bank refugee camps as well as East Jerusalem.
Click here for details of our Emergency Appeal.
Update – 20.02.24
With hostilities in Gaza and Israel continuing for the past 137 days, it is reported that 28,000 people have now been killed and 67,000 injured in the Gaza Strip. It is also reported that 1,200 Israelis have been killed with more than 5,400 injured.
Many of the hostilities are in the southern parts of the Gaza Strip with a major concern regarding possible land incursions in Rafah where some 1.2 million displaced people are residing.
Our staff are predominantly residing in Rafah enduring the most devastating conditions. Despite the challenges, we have continued to pay staff and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
We have been engaged in discussions with the major health care responders in Gaza including, the World Health Organization, Care International, International Medical Corps and others to both identify ophthalmic health care needs and coordinate our forthcoming responses.
Management is also engaged with The Unit for Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) to secure shipment of medical equipment and medications to Gaza in preparation for ophthalmic medical responses which should commence as soon as there is a reasonable ceasefire agreement.
For detailed information about the situation on the ground, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website .
In Jerusalem and the West Bank there has been an increased level of violence with more than 40 Palestinians killed since the start of the year. This has further compromised the movement of people and goods within the West Bank.
Despite such challenges, we have continued to provide services at all our facilities in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
In Jerusalem, clinical activities continue at about 75% capacity and more than 100% at Kufor Aqab. At the Hebron Hospital, clinical activities have been sustained at about 90% capacity.
Outreach services as well as the child vision screening project are progressing very well with an increased number of patients screened and referred, especially from West Bank refugee camps.
Due to the increased level of hostilities in the north of the West Bank, which have reduced the free movements of people, clinical activities at Anabta Centre continue to fluctuate between 30-50%.
Click here for details of our Emergency Appeal.
Update – 18.01.24
With hostilities in Gaza and Israel continuing for the past 105 days, it is now reported that 24,000 people have been killed and 60,000 injured in the Gaza Strip.
Of the 34 hospitals operating in the north prior to the war, only 15 remain operational according to the World Health Organisation.
While information is difficult to obtain, with telecommunication services in Gaza having been shut off for the past week, we have had reports that the hospital is now being used as a shelter by a number of displaced families, and also that much of our medical equipment has been removed.
To the best of our knowledge, all our Gazan staff continue to reside in Rafah City, which is now reported to be home to 1.2 million displaced people.
For detailed information about the situation on the ground, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website .
The Hospital has continued to pay its staff since the outset of hostilities and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
In January, our Board of Trustees discussed a number of different scenarios and possible medical responses once a ceasefire is reached. More information about our response will be made available over the coming weeks and months.
In Jerusalem, at our flagship hospital, despite an increased level of hostilities in the West Bank, outpatient clinical activities continue at 80% of normal service levels, with surgery running at 65% of normal service levels.
Indeed, throughout 2023 SJEHG treated 134,000 patients and operated on more than 5,900 people, compared to 143,000 in 2022.
Clinical activity continues at 100% in the clinic at Kufor Aqab, and 90% at the Hebron Hospital.
Outreach services as well as the Child Vision Screening Initiative are progressing very well with more than 14,000 patients seen by outreach teams last year, and some 6000 children screened as part of the West Bank initiative.
On account of increasing movement restrictions in the north of the West Bank, clinical activities in Anabta fluctuate between 30-50%.
After this week we expect to move to a monthly update, on the basis that if there is anything to update on in the meantime, we shall continue to do so via this bulletin.
Click here for details of our Emergency Appeal.
Update – 13.12.23
Hostilities in Gaza and Israel have continued for the past 66 days. Considerable damage has been inflicted upon critical infrastructure and essential services, affecting the ability of the victims of this war to maintain their dignity and basic living standards. Following a 6-day Humanitarian Ceasefire, hostilities have resumed both in the north and south of the Gaza Strip.
Our Jerusalem team are in communication with the WHO both in Palestine and Egypt to ensure that SJEHG plays an integral role in the humanitarian response plan being formulated and will be implemented once the war is over or there is an extended ceasefire. The CEO and other members of Senior Leadership Team are also in contact with our Gaza Hospital Manager to explore the most appropriate model of eye care to be employed once there is an extended ceasefire.
For detailed information on the current crisis, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website-www.ochaopt.org/crisis
In Jerusalem and the West Bank, the impact of the war on movement of people and goods in the West Bank continues, especially in the northern districts. Our clinical activities in Jerusalem continue at 65-70% and 100% in Kufor Aqab Clinic. As for Hebron, clinical activities are at an almost 100% level.
Outreach services as well as the child vision screening project are progressing very well.
Clinical activities at Anabta centre fluctuate between 30-50%.
Click here for details of our Emergency Appeal.
Update – 04/12/23
Hostilities in Gaza and Israel have continued for the past 54 days. For the past week, there has been a humanitarian ceasefire during which Hamas released Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and increased humanitarian assistance into and across Gaza.
With regards to health care provisions, it is reported that out of the 24 hospitals operating in the north prior to the war, only four small facilities remain operational.
The ceasefire did present an opportunity for one of our staff members to visit and take some photographs of the hospital, and we are pleased to report that it remains standing with no direct airstrikes. However due to further telecommunications disruptions we are not able to assess for further damages.
The Chair of SJEHG’s Board and the Order Hospitaller are in discussions with SJEHG’s senior leadership team regarding models of care most appropriate for the Gaza current humanitarian catastrophe. These will, of course, be shaped by the way the current war develops, especially if there is an incursion on the south of the Gaza Strip.
For detailed information about the situation on the ground, please refer to the latest update on the website of the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website – https://www.ochaopt.org/crisis
In Jerusalem, at our flagship hospital, clinical activities continue at 65% of normal levels, and at 100% in Kufor Aqab. Outreach services, as well as the child vision screening project, are progressing very well.
At Anabta, clinical activities fluctuate between 30-50%.
Update – 15/11/23
Hostilities in Gaza and Israel have continued for the past five weeks, with the Israeli forces’ ground incursion in the north of the Gaza Strip resulting in a large number of fatalities and injuries, as well as destruction to infrastructure.
It is reported that as many as 700,000 people have been displaced to the south which is creating an untenable demand on UN humanitarian agencies.
For detailed information about the situation on the ground, please refer to the latest update on the website of the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs website – www.ochaopt.org/crisis
As for our Gazan Hospital, we have not been able to carry out any further inspection of the building. To the best of our knowledge, it hasn’t sustained any further damage. We are waiting patiently for a humanitarian ceasefire, during which it should be possible to provide an assessment of its status.
All our staff are residing in Rafah and other southern districts.
In Jerusalem, with movement restrictions in place since the beginning of the conflict, clinical activities for the months of October and November remain at 65% of normal activity.
We continue to coordinate with the Israeli Authorities and the East Jerusalem Hospital Network to enable surgical patients to reach Jerusalem to undertake much needed surgical interventions.
Outreach activities have recovered to almost 100% capacity as compared to the same period last year. However, visits to the northern West Bank continue to be problematic, and travelling is deemed unsafe for staff.
In the West Bank, we have introduced a Child Vision Screening programme in the Refugee Camps, made possible by funds from the Hilton Foundation. Screenings are conducted by staff from both Anabta and Kufor Aqab as well as the outreach teams.
So far, more than 800 children have been screened.
Our Kufor Aqab clinic, situated outside the separation wall, continues to provide essential services to those patients who can’t reach Jerusalem and is operating at 100% capacity.
In Hebron, we have increased the number of surgical sessions with activity rising by 42% compared to the same period in 2022.
In Anabta, last week, some of our subspeciality doctors were able to conduct clinics. The workload continues to fluctuate between 40-50% of normal workload.
Update – 10/11/23
Hostilities in Gaza and Israel have continued for the past month, with Israeli troops reported to have encircled Gaza City separating the north from the south areas of the Gaza Strip. Humanitarian supplies continue to enter via the Rafah Border Crossing.
Since the beginning of the conflict the Israeli military has ordered all hospitals in the Gaza Strip to evacuate. Today many of the hospitals remain operational but many have sustained considerable damage including the Government Eye Hospital.
For detailed information about the situation on the ground, please refer to the latest update from the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
To the best of our knowledge there has been no further damage to our hospital building in Gaza, though we have not been able to carry out further inspections.
All our Gazan staff are residing in Rafah and other southern districts.
In Jerusalem, there has been a slight uplift in clinical activity – currently 65% of normal activity – with more patients being able to attend for surgery. Outreach visits continue at almost 75% capacity.
The Hebron Hospital continues to operate at almost 100% outpatient and surgical capacity.
In Anabta, workload fluctuates between 50-60%.
We are preparing plans of action to respond, in due course, to the needs of those impacted by the crisis, particularly those in displaced communities.
In the immediate term we continue to offer more complex treatments in our regional clinics and are seeking to expand the scope of current services in Hebron and East Jerusalem.
See here for details of our Emergency Appeal.
Update – 23/10/23
Hostilities in Gaza and Israel have continued for the 18th day with an increased number of casualties. For detailed information on the current crisis, please refer to the latest update from the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
SJEHG work in Gaza has been paused since the beginning of the crisis and SJEHG staff in Gaza have now moved to the south district of the Gaza Strip.
In Jerusalem, continued restrictions on movement for both staff and patients mean that the surgical workload is at 30-35% of normal activities, with 50-60% of usual activity in the Outpatients Department.
Clinical activities at the Kufor Aqab Clinic are at almost 90% capacity; in response to the inability of patients to reach Jerusalem, SJEHG have commenced subspeciality medical retina, uveitis, oculoplastic and paediatric services at the clinic. The outreach team manages to conduct clinics most days.
The Hebron Hospital is functioning at almost 90% capacity with a noticeable increase in surgical activities reaching 100% of the normal workload.
Since the beginning of the current crisis, activities at the Anabta Centre remain at 40% of the expected workload. Until now, it has been unsafe for SJEHG doctors to travel from Jerusalem to conduct subspeciality clinics in Anabta. Subject to continuing improvements in the security situation, it is likely that these visits will resume soon.
The SJEHG Board and Senior Leadership Team met on 19.10.2023 to update on the current position, on the status of the Emergency Appeal and to ensure as far as possible sustainable services are maintained and delivered across Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Check back soon for further updates.