Physical healing and Psychosocial Support at Ahli

Ahmad is 24 years and works as a journalist. He was in his office when the building was
shelled during the 2014 war with drones. He fell as a result of the shelling, broke his leg
and suffered from many wounds in his back.
When the ambulance reached him, he was then rushed to Al Shifa Hospital for
immediate care. The emergency room was so crowded that he had to go to another
hospital that same night. After a long journey of physical care, Ahmad had realized that
he was also emotional scarred and needed healing.
I cannot forget the horror I felt after that bombardment incident. I have re-lived the
experience every day for many months after. It was like a nightmare that I could not
wake up from Ahmad said.
He had heard about the AAH Free Medical Mission and how they provide not only
medical care but also psychosocial care. The wide spectrum of activities done in the
community with groups of men and separate for those of women is what helped Ahmad
overcome his fears and share them with professionals and group members; concerns,
pains and fears that not only him feel but every person in his group.
I thank God I am still alive! I am grateful to have been lucky to have the AAH program.
Many others have not had the opportunity to deal with their feelings. I know that life is
not perfect but at least I feel that I am starting to re-gain self- confidence and hope
again.
Ahli Arab Hospitals Psychosocial program is one of the programs that aims at
providing healthcare and psychosocial support for poor and vulnerable patients
in Gaza through grass roots organizations.
During 2015 AAH reaches out to more than 4000 patients across Gaza strip

Underweight / Malnutrition Program- Monitoring a Sustained Health and Growth

among Children
Mohammed is the youngest child among his siblings for a family of 6. The entire family
is crammed in one room of an apartment and shares the apartment with other families.
Neither the Mohammads father nor mother work or have worked for quite some time.
When he was 7 months old, Mohammed was reverted to the Al-Ahli Hospital as he was
suffering of general weaknesses.
After his initial screening Mohammad weighed 6.5 kg and was 66 cm tall the initial
indicators showed that he suffered from underweight observed Dr Mohei El Dein
Shrqawi the pediatrician at AAH hospital.
Mohammad was then placed on special maternal nutrition program because the family
could not afford to buy special food items due to their extreme poverty. At the beginning,
the dietitian at AAH coached Mohammads mother and showed her how to prepare
proper meals for her son within the house means and resources. In addition to breast
feeding the AAH t medical team provided the family with milk, fortified special biscuits,
cereal as well as vitamins.
I am very grateful for the AAH malnutrition team for their great help! I can clearly see
how my son has gained weight and grown taller. I cannot imagine what would have
happened to my youngest son had I not come to AAH said Mohammads mother. The
medical team has been so caring and my son is so lucky to having visited AAH for such
program.
Within a short period of time Mohammads weight has increased by 2 kilos and his
height by 5 cm- a positive increase in his overall health status
The free malnutrition program is for children aged 6-12 months accompanied by
their mothers from all parts of the Gaza Strip especially remote areas that have
minimal access to clinics and hospitals. Each child is closely followed for a
period of 3 months. For some serious cases Ahli extend the period of care to six
months time.
Each year, AAH hospital follows more than 700 children with underweight issues
or malnutrition problems

Breast Cancer Screening and Support Program- Restoring Hope

Yusra* is a 57 years old married woman who lives in Gaza city with her husband. Yusra
came to AAH hospital in 2013 as part of the breast screening awareness program that
she had learned about through friends. I came for the screening after I felt something
abnormal in my breast. I have learned about this screening through our friends who
attended the Ahli free medical program for the vulnerable said Yusra.
After the screening, Yusra was referred to a biopsy check said Dr. Ali, a senior
surgeon at AAH; a week later Yusra was diagnosed with breast cancer.
It was not an easy moment in my life but I was glad that an early detection could
possibly save my life said Yusra.
Yusra then had undergone a mastectomy at AAH hospital and as she and her husband
were both unemployed she was assisted to conduct such an urgently needed surgery.
To close the circle with her diagnosis and treatment, Yusra was also introduced to the
psychosocial program support through AAH.
The stress that we lived before, during and after the diagnosis was not easy; the
psychosocial support was what I needed. I enjoy going on picnics with other women
most of women have endured the same I have. Spending time with them and learning
how they fought cancer makes me feel much better! I feel fortunate to be part of such
program at AAH concluded Yusra.
The breast screening program is for women above 40 years of age. It aims to
improve the survival rate of women with breast cancer in Gaza through earlier
detection of breast cancer and support for women after diagnosis. These women
are invited to come for a screening at the AAH premises, not only they have a
mammography; they also have trainings in breast self-examination and health
education about breast cancer.
Each year, AAH hospital follows more than 1300 women at risk of having or
growing breast cancer. Ahli also provide health education and trainings on selfbreast examinations to 5000 beneficiaries..

*original name was changed for protection of privacy purposes