Doha: Iman (39) is receiving chemotherapy at the Palestine-Turkey Friendship Hospital, southern Gaza City, under a joint project by Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) to provide medications for patients with cancer in Gaza.
With strong determination, she keeps spreading a spirit of resilience in the face of illness among other patients. Both her peers and medical personnel admire Iman’s energetic attitude and firm belief in her ability to recover from a disease that has afflicted her for over five years now.
“You can imagine how I felt my life stopping once I knew I had breast cancer,” said Iman, describing her experience with breast cancer. “Just one moment later, I decided to fight hard to overcome the disease. I am a math teacher, and I have my family responsibilities. I cannot let my kids down now”.
She believes that patients with cancer should keep receiving all therapies and endure the pain, in order to survive and restore their normal lives.
Dr. Akram Nassar, head of QRCS’s office in Gaza, said they would continue to supply medications for the patients with cancer in Gaza. Under the project, a total of 19 types of chemotherapy, hormonal, and analgesic drugs are procured.
Amid difficult humanitarian and health conditions in Gaza, he added, the project would help to alleviate the suffering of 8,644 patients, ease the burden on health service providers at hospitals, and reduce referrals for treatment abroad.
The $800,000 project is co-funded by QRCS and KRCS (through Kuwait Finance House [KFH]) — $300,000 and $500,000 respectively.
Dr. Zikri Abu Qamar, Assistant Director-General of Pharmacy at the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Gaza, praised QRCS’s humanitarian interventions to support the health sector, especially with a persistent shortage in medical supplies for cancer.
“Last year, the shortage was 53%,” he revealed. “As a result, the therapeutic courses were halted for many patients. Thanks to cancer medical supplies from international organizations in Gaza, mainly QRCS and KRCS, the rate was down to 44%, with much-needed drugs and pain relievers secured to ensure the continuity of life-saving medical services for the patients”.
About Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS)
Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is Qatar’s first humanitarian and volunteering organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination.
QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 192 National Societies. It is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). In this legally recognized capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian and social efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs.
Both locally and internationally, QRCS has relief and development operations in numerous countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central and South America. Its humanitarian mandates include disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and risk reduction. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, food, water, shelter, and other needs of local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy front.
With the help of a vast network of trained, committed staff and volunteers, QRCS aspires to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity, inspired by the seven Fundamental Principles of humanitarian action: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
Source: Qatar Red Crescent Society