Limiting dissemination of COVID-19 in Gaza Strip

On 25 August 2020, the MoH announced the emergency state inside the Gaza Strip due to four cases tested positive of coronavirus.

We at UHWC as a leading Non-Governmental health organization also announced the emergency state inside our premises and facilities. We applied a closed working system inside Al Awda hospital, where our teams worked for 10 continuous days for the reason of protecting the environment at the hospital, visiting patients and the staff inside the hospital and their families when they go back home after finishing the 10 working days.

Throughout this intervention, Al Awda Hospital's health workers and patients contributed to limit the spread of Coronavirus in Gaza Strip after the transmission of the virus inside the community. Not to mention, strengthening the health system and increasing its capacity to respond to the health needs to face COVID-19.

The supplied disposables and PPE's by this fund during August 2020, served 4358 beneficiaries who came to the hospital seeking for Emergency services, Maternity services, surgical operations services and  outpatient clinic services.

One of UHWC employees who benefited from this fund was W. J. she is a pharmacist at our Central Drug Store, she has three children the youngest one is 3 years old.

 W. J. is one of the persons who did not go back home and stayed at Al Awda Hospital for 10 continuous days, from the beginning of the transmission of Coronavirus among the Palestinian community in Gaza, to decrease the infection and to protect her family and herself.

She said "The news showed up on the night of 25^th August, shocking all of us.. `We heard at a sudden that 4 cases tested positive for COVID-19 among the community  ... The first thing that came up to my mind is that.. How can we continue our work and protect ourselves and our patients during the provision of services"

She was one of the beneficiaries from the project " Limiting dissemination of COVID-19 in Gaza Strip " that was funded by GlobalGiving, who benefited from the PPE that have been brought and distributed to protect our teams and to maintain the provision of health services.

She added, "It's very important to work in a clean environment, especially I worked 10 days inside the hospital, even with the much imposed restricted movements from the staff and the patients, it's important to know that I can return back to my family safe and sound …. It's not only about psychical related issues,, it's also about my mental health and how this will push me forward to complete my task and work duties properly" 

"Thanks to every single one of you at the community of GlobalGiving for being the reason behind the stability of the provision of our services and for the well-being we had during the 10 working days … this played major role in the serving people, saving lives and be ready for the worst scenarios," She concluded.

In addition, H. S. was one of the beneficiaries from this fund, she is 33 years old pregnant woman lives in Beit Hanoun, and she is pregnant in her last days.

This pregnancy was a dream to a family.. They waited for this moment for 5 years.

She came to Al Awda Hospital on 27 August 2020 progressing delivery signs and because of the transmission of coronavirus inside the community, she was forced to go into the triage point where we provide PPE for the patient and did some rapid test for COVID19 as an indication of the infection.

H.S. said, "I came to the hospital fearing of going to other hospitals, because I heard of infection among the medical team  ... I trust Al Awda and want to give birth there for my first dream baby" 

The Gynecologist followed her case in the delivery room with the midwife and she had her baby, health safe and sound.

The Director of Al Awda Hospital said" Without this fund through GlobalGiving and all contributors.. We won't be able to maintain the sustainability of the provision of emergency – lifesaving health services.. This fund helped us to continue the provision of health services through the donated PPE's and medications and disposables... In light of the closure of MoH and UNRWA clinics" 

Now the mother and baby were safe and sound, and UHWC ambulance drove them back home.

H.S. after having the baby between her arms said "Million thanks  ... Thank God  ... I would not be much happier than this moment.. My baby is safe and sound.. I'm in a safe environment away from COVID19.. Thanks to the donor and UHWC for making this moment especial"