KUALA LUMPUR: SOME 200 doctors and medical specialists have offered to join the Aman Palestine Emergency Mission to Gaza that will leave this Friday.
However, only 20 were shortlisted, with five in the first batch leaving for Gaza, Aman Palestine Medical Relief coordinator Associate Professor Dr Zainur Rashid Zainuddin said.
Dr Zainur said this was the second medical mission organised by the non-governmental organisation to the conflict-driven state.
The mission will see orthopaedic surgeons Dr Mohamad Nor Sundari and Dr Zairul Nizam Zainol Fitri, anaesthetist consultants Dr Mafeitzal Mamat and Dr Hasbe Zuraina Abu Bakar and trauma surgeon Dr Kamarul Al-Haq Abdul Ghani offering their services.
“Most of these doctors are on board voluntarily, some taking leave from work while others are taking unpaid leave.
“The doctors see this as part of their social responsibility to help those in need, especially those in Gaza. This isn’t about the money or glory, it is a humanitarian cause.”
Dr Zainur, who was part of the first mission with Aman Palestine last year, said the doctors were well equipped to face the situation there.
“They have 15 to 20 years of experience and will be able to handle any medical procedures.
“They are experts in their fields and they have seen it all, but the difference is the environment.
“We have briefed and trained them, but there will be a final briefing before the departure to Egypt on Friday.
“The first medical mission group is very important as they will ascertain the severity of the situation and the kind of medical assistance required.
“The only foreseeable problem is crossing the Rafah border in Egypt into Gaza as there are 14 security checkpoints we will have to go through,” Dr Zainur said, adding that he was once held for five hours in Rafah before being allowed into Gaza.
On dealing with Israeli security forces, Dr Zainur said medical personnel were never attacked.
Aman Palestine has raised RM5 million to help victims in Palestine, but is hoping to raise another RM20 million to aid the displaced people.
For those who want to make a contribution, log on to www.amanpalestin.net or visit www.facebook.com/AmanPalestin.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on all parties to stop attacking non-military sites, especially hospitals, schools and orphanages.
President Dr H. Krishna Kumar said MMA strongly condemned attacks on these sites as most of those killed and hurt were civilians who were mostly the elderly and children.
“We hope all warring parties listen to our pleas as we represent the majority who are for peace,” he said in a statement.
