$150,000 raised in London to educate Gaza’s medical students

Some $150,000 has been raised to support medical students in Gaza continue their studies during the ongoing genocide in the Strip.

PalMed Academy, the educational arm of the Palestinian Medical Association in Europe, raised the funds during a charity dinner held in London on Saturday to support its Gaza Educate Medics (GEM) initiative.

Under the banner “Resurrecting Medical Education in Gaza: Challenges and Solutions”, the significant difficulties facing Gaza’s medical education infrastructure were highlighted at the conference, including the ongoing blockade and systematic destruction of healthcare and educational facilities. The event featured panel discussions and academic presentations emphasising the importance of innovation and international collaboration in supporting medical education.

“By participating today, you are fanning the flame of hope, not just for students and faculty members, but also for all the people of Gaza,” conference Chair, Dr Hussamuddin Adwan, told participants.

Among those present were Professor Mads Gilbert from Norway, who is renowned for his humanitarian support for Gaza, as well as Dr Nick Maynard, professor of surgery at Oxford University Hospitals and Dr Hibah Osman, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School along with the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Dr Husam Zomlot, who stressed the vital role education plays in Palestinian resilience.

Students from Gaza joined the conference online, with Lina Abu Heen describing the daily hardships and dangers they face and the critical resources needed to support their education.

“The funds raised today will directly support medical students in Gaza through the Gaza Medical Education programme. This is an investment in Gaza’s future, aiming to ensure the continuity of medical education and to prepare qualified medical professionals to serve the community,” Professor Mahmoud Loubani, president of PalMed Academy, said.

He explained that since it was launched in June, the initiative has enrolled 2,100 students, supported by more than 1,000 international volunteers who provide lectures and assistance through a comprehensive educational platform.

“The devastation inflicted on the infrastructure of medical education threatens not only the future of students,” said Dr Anwar Sheikh Khalil, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Islamic University of Gaza, “but also the entire healthcare system in Gaza.”

Through its initiatives, PalMed Academy and its partners strive to sustain medical education in Gaza as a pillar of Palestinian resilience amidst the immense challenges posed by the ongoing genocide.

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