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Non-functional
Patient Friends Association Hospital
Facility Type
Speciality Hospital
Ownership type
NGO (
Friends of the Patient Charitable Society
)
Governorates / District
Gaza
Address
Al-Rimal – Shuhada Street
Founding Year
1980
Facility director
Said Salah
Beds Capacity
19
Number of workers
140
List of medical specialties and services
Obstetrics and gynaecology
High-risk pregnancy
Child health
Family planning
General medicine
Emergency medicine
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes services
Ear, nose and throat
Respiratory medicine
Pharmacy
Internal medicine
Equipment and facilities
Mammography
Ultrasound scan
Radiology
Laboratory services
Description (About the Facility)

Founded in 1980, the Friends of the Patient Society Hospital is located in al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City, with a capacity of 19 beds. The hospital is affiliated with the Friends of the Patient Charity Association, a non-profit civil society organization founded in 1980, which was launched in response to the deteriorating medical situation under the occupation. The association provides assistance to patients, especially the poor, in addition to medical services. It also offers a health awareness program in the Gaza Strip, and organizes educational courses, workshops, and studies for health workers.

While the association shares its name with several others across Palestine, they each work independently of each other[1].

Development and funding

In 2007: The Friends of the Patient Charity Association upgraded the Friends of the Patient Society Hospital's central laboratory by adding biochemical testing equipment and further upgraded and modernized the hospital's surgical department. The association also worked to develop general surgery operations and its branches, adding a small operating room, and developed a room for treating the larynx, esophagus, stomach and intestines, equipped with a peritoneoscope. 

In 2017: The Friends of the Patient Charitable Society Association began using solar energy at its headquarters, with funding from the Welfare Association, supervision by the Palestinian Energy Authority, and construction by Mega Power.

In 2019: The Palestinian cellular telecommunications company Jawwal, supported the Friends of the Patient Charitable Association with several medical devices, including at the laboratory, operations, reception and emergency departments[2].

In 2021: Anera installed water purification systems funded by Humanity First UK at the hospital. 

In 2022: The endoscopy unit was inaugurated with the support of the Welfare Association and funding by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development. MyCare contributed towards the renovation and preparation of the unit[3]. Al-Khair Foundation funded the addition of an anesthesia machine[4].

In the summer of 2023: The hospital's nursing department, in collaboration with the Nursing Syndicate, concluded the "Advanced Cardiac Resuscitation" course for the second group of nurses and technicians. The course targeted the hospital's nursing staff, operating technicians, and anesthesia technicians.

narrative during this war

On October 22, 2023: Friends of the Patient Society Hospital director Dr. Saeed Salah, launched an appeal to institutions and organizations to intervene to save the hospital from collapse before all its services cease[5]. 

On November 3, 2023: The Palestinian Ministry of Health declared the hospital out of service after running out of fuel[6].

On November 10, 2023: Occupation forces shelled the vicinity of the hospital, destroying an ambulance in front of the hospital building[7].

On February 11, 2024 : Occupation forces burned down the hospital[8]. 

On February 14, 2024: The World Health Organization stated that the hospital was evacuated at the beginning of the month and was out of service due to heavy damage[9].

On April 14, 2024: The hospital resumed operations and resumed providing services in the following specialties: Pediatric Day Care, General Reception (Internal Medicine and Surgery), Maternity Care and Pregnancy Follow-up, Laboratory Services, and Panoramic Imaging[10].

On June 26, 2024: The hospital reopened after renovation[11].

On July 8,2024:  Dr. Muneer Al-Bursh, Director of the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, announces that occupation tanks have stationed in front of Friends of the Patient Hospital[12]. The Palestinian Red Crescent teams report transferring about 30 injured individuals from Friends of the Patient Hospital to the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, following occupation threats to evacuate parts of Gaza City[13]. Additionally, a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirms the evacuation of Friends of the Patient Hospital[14].

On July 12, 2024: Occupation forces bombed and shelled the hospital, taking it out of service. The hospital had been restored and resumed its services before the recent Israeli operation in the western area of Gaza City[15][16]. 

On July 14, 2024: The management of the Friends of the Patient Society Hospital announced via Facebook the resumption of its work and the provision of pediatric services[17]. 

On August 13, 2024: A set of medical devices and equipment arrived at the Friends of the Patient Society Hospital, secured by Al Hayat Association with the support of Doctors of Iraq[18].

On August 18, 2024: An educational seminar on breastfeeding was organized at the hospital as part of the SAM project activities[19].

On August 19, 2024: An educational seminar on Hepatitis C was organized as part of the SAM project activities[20].

On August 24, 2024: FFH management signed a memorandum of understanding with Medical Aid for Palestinians/UK to restart the pediatric, pediatric intensive care, obstetrics and gynecology, surgical, surgical, reception and emergency departments[21].

On August 28, 2024: Medical staff resumed work in the obstetrics and gynecology department at the hospital[22]. 

On September 1, 2024: An educational seminar on malnutrition was held at the hospital[23].

The main targeting and assaults During the genocide

Burning and destruction of Friends of the Patient Hospital

Occupation forces burned down the hospital.

Hospital resumes partial operations

The hospital resumed operations and resumed providing services in the following specialties: Pediatric Day Care, General Reception (Internal Medicine and Surgery), Maternity Care and Pregnancy Follow-up, Laboratory Services, and Panoramic Imaging.


 

Reopening of Friends of the Patient Hospital after repairs

Occupation tanks stationed in front of Friends of the Patient Hospital

Dr. Muneer Al-Bursh, Director of the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, announces that occupation tanks have stationed in front of Friends of the Patient Hospital. Additionally, a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirms the evacuation of Friends of the Patient Hospital.

And on July 12, 2024, Occupation forces bombed and shelled the hospital, taking it out of service. The hospital had been restored and resumed its services before the recent Israeli operation in the western area of Gaza City.

Re-destruction of Friends of the Patient Hospital

Occupation forces bombed and shelled the hospital, taking it out of service.

Resumption of pediatric services

The management of the Friends of the Patient Society Hospital announced via Facebook the resumption of its work and the provision of pediatric services

Sources
  1. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital, Facebook.
  2. Jawwal- Palestinian Telecommunication Company, Website. 
  3. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital, Facebook.
  4. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital, Facebook.
  5. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital, Facebook.
  6. Dunia Al Watan Online Newspaper, quoted from the Government Media Office, News release.
  7. Anadolu Agency, News release.
  8. Anadolu Agency, News release.
  9. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Report.
  10. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital, Facebook.
  11. Russia Today Channel, News release.
  12. Al Jazeera Media Network, X Platform, formerly Twitter.  
  13. Palestine Red Crescent Society, Facebook. 
  14. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Report. 
  15. Anadolu Agency, News release.
  16. Palestinian Media Center, News release.
  17. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital - Gaza, Facebook.
  18. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital - Gaza, Facebook. 
  19. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital - Gaza, Facebook. 
  20. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital - Gaza, Facebook. 
  21. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital - Gaza, Facebook. 
  22. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital - Gaza, Facebook. 
  23. Friends of the Patient Charitable Hospital - Gaza, Facebook. 
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