On the 27th of December 2008, the Gaza Strip was bombarded by artillery from a neighbouring country. Over a period of 22 days, approximately 1300 people were killed, 5300 wounded and thousands more displaced by this siege.

MERCY Malaysia deployed its team of 6 specialists on 21 January 2009. The team, led by MERCY Malaysia Executive Council Member and Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Heng Aik Cheng, comprised two other orthopaedic surgeons, Dr Shamsul Iskandar Hussein and myself, an Anaesthetist (Dr Asmarawati Mohamad Yatim), a General Surgeon (Dr Hairol Azrin Othman) and a Paediatric Surgeon (Dr Lai Fui Boon).

After a 5 hour wait, we managed to enter Gaza through Rafah border crossing, on 22 January 2009, during the ceasefire period. We were hosted by a local Palestinian family in Rafah (the Palestinian side).  (Picture 1)

We based ourselves mainly at European Gaza Hospital, a 240-bedded hospital situated in the southern Gaza Governorate of Khanyounis. In general, we noted that there were no acute trauma cases related to the recent siege that required treatment. Most of the victims of the war were managed by the local doctors during the war, or transferred to neighbouring countries for further management. Working with one of the Orthopaedic consultants, Dr. Hani El Jabour, we found ourselves managing cold cases, and performing elective surgeries such as total knee and hip replacements, debridement and bone grafting of bone cysts, arthroscopic meniscectomy, and soft tissue release procedures for talipes equinovarus and cerebral palsy. Much of the implants and instruments used in the hospital were donated by other NGO’s. Aside from performing surgeries, we also assisted Dr Hani and his team in the outpatient clinics and the Emergency Department, as well as run a basic resuscitation course with Qatar Charity for some of the doctors and medical students.  (Pictures 2 and 3)

We also had the opportunity to see for ourselves the extent of destruction incurred as a result of this recent war. Many homes and people’s livelihoods were lost. Mosques were damaged or totally destroyed, as were schools, universities and hospitals. However, what we saw was not the full extent of damage inflicted as Gazans were very efficient at clearing up and repairing much of the damage.  (Pictures 4 and 5)

We visited one of the more common targets of this war, which are the tunnels that run between Gaza and Egypt. It is said that there are close to 2000 tunnels throughout the length of the border (approximately 15 km). Although we were offered, none of us dared to go down one as the area was just bombed the night before! Bombings, jets and the humming of drones were commonly heard especially after the ceasefire period ended on 24th January 2009. (Picture 6)

It was with a heavy heart that we left Gaza for Cairo on the 1st of February, and arrived in Kuala Lumpur on the 4th of February 2009. Throughout our 11-day stay in Gaza, we were greeted by many warm smiles and friendly faces, and we came away inspired by the courage, tenacity and resilience of her people.  (Picture 7)

Picture 1 – Waiting to cross Rafah Border Crossing in Egypt

Picture 2 – With Dr Hani and his team at European Gaza Hospital

Picture 3 – Treating patients in Outpatient clinic, ward and OT

Picture 4 – Life goes on: Students studying in tents because school is damaged. Business as usual at site of a destroyed mosque

Picture 5 – Police stations and Hospitals were not spared

Picture 6 – This is tunnel is no Chunnel, that’s for sure!

Picture 7 – New-found friends