Merry Christmas from the Chair of SJEHG

This Christmas, I am proud to reflect on what we have achieved at the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group (SJEHG) over the past 12 months.

Despite another year of significant upheaval in Gaza, we are encouraged by tentative steps towards peace. Throughout this period our teams have faced constant challenges with remarkable resilience and dedication. I remain deeply inspired by their unwavering commitment in continuing to deliver high-quality eye care to those who need it most, even while enduring their own personal hardships.

We were able to restore the first floor of our Gaza Hospital – which had suffered extensive collateral damage – in April, reopening to patients in May. Alongside Al Quds Hospital, April also saw us perform the first major eye surgery in Gaza since the start of the war. Today, we treat around 1,000 patients each week – not only at our Gaza Hospital in the north but across two additional locations in the centre and south of the territory, plus outreach to refugee camps.

Thanks to supporters of our Saving Sight in Gaza Appeal, we have treated over 63,000 people in Gaza this year, including 16,000 children who have nowhere else to turn – treating conditions from corneal disease and sight-threatening infections to malnutrition and dehydration- related eye disease.

However, a significant surgical backlog remains, with more than 11% of our patients requiring sight-saving surgery. Refurbishment of our operating theatres in Gaza is well underway, and, with continued support, we hope to tackle this backlog in the new year – providing timely treatment that can make the difference between full recovery and permanent blindness.

In May, I was delighted to attend the official opening of our new Nablus Day Hospital, which began receiving patients in March. This landmark facility provides communities in the northern West Bank with world-class charitable eye care closer to home, without the need to travel to Jerusalem.

Nablus wasn’t the only new service we introduced this year. In October, we launched our new Hebron-based outreach service – staffed by three nurses trained at our Sir Stephen Miller School of Nursing. This is our third outreach service now in the West Bank.

Speaking of Hebron, in July, our Hebron Hospital received the prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation for the first time, the global gold standard for healthcare quality. Our Jerusalem Hospital was also accredited for the fifth time, a testament to our exceptional patient-centred care and to the dedication and professionalism of our staff.

Our Child Vision Screening Programme continues to be a fantastic success, with over 56,000 children screened this year. The importance of early intervention in childhood – particularly for conditions that could otherwise lead to avoidable blindness, cannot be overstated. This vital service is made possible by the generous support of the Priory of St John in the USA. I was honoured to attend their recent investiture in Washington DC and meet with some of our supporters across the Atlantic.

As well as the USA, we are so grateful for all the support received by the rest of our global St John family – from England, Scotland, and Wales closer to home, as well as those further afield in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa.

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our Saving Sight Banquet at Mansion House in February. Held in the presence of our Grand Prior HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO GCStJ, it was a fantastic night, and we raised over £400,000 for the Group from the banquet, charity auction and associated donations.

Another highlight was our ‘In Conversation With…’ evening at Apothecaries’ Hall, where our CEO Dr Ahmad Ma’ali travelled from Jerusalem to speak to renowned BBC journalist Samira Ahmed about his journey with the Hospital, our work in Gaza and future plans. We thank Samira, as well as the Guild of St John Eye Hospital Group, the Guild of Young Freemen, iYouth, and the Society of Apothecaries for making the evening such a success.

This year also marks 65 years since the opening of our flagship Jerusalem Hospital. We have started setting out plans to modernise and redevelop the building, ensuring we can continue serving our communities now and long into the future.

Looking forward, 2026 is set to be an exciting year for SJEHG. The Guild of St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital will celebrate their centenary marking 100 years since the pilgrimage to Jerusalem that inspired their inception.

They are planning a full calendar of events to mark this milestone, starting with a reception at The Chapter Hall in St John’s Gate on the 2nd of March, and we hope many of you will join us. You can keep up to date with the Guild’s plans by becoming a Friend of the SJEHG and keeping an eye on our website and across our social media channels.

I also invite you to consider supporting  our 2025 Christmas Appeal, Give the Gift of Sight this Christmas. In uncertain times, we continue quietly rebuilding. When our patients’ vision starts to fade, we help them see again and regain their independence. Even in the darkest moments, we offer hope. And when the future feels uncertain, we bring clarity, and a reminder that brighter days are still possible.

I wish you and your family all the very best for a peaceful, joyful Christmas. Thank you.

Warm regards,

Andrew Cash

Chair SJEHG