KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Jan 2009: Two Malaysian medical specialists have entered Gaza, said Mercy Malaysia vice president Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus today.
The two doctors were anaesthetist Prof Dr Ikram Mohd Salleh who is Mercy Malaysia executive council member and surgeon Dr Al-Amin Mohamed Daud who is a volunteer, he said.
He said they entered Gaza through Rafah on the Egyptian border at 9pm yesterday Malaysian time.
“We have yet to know where they have been assigned to. Probably the two specialists have moved to a predetermined hospital but I do not know which hospital because it depends on need and the security aspect.
“Their task is to assess and make recommendations on the needs of hospitals in Gaza in terms of medical and other requirements and perform specialist treatment there,” he told reporters after delivering a talk on Humanitarian Relief for Gaza — What are our roles.
The talk was part of the Solidarity For Gaza programme organised by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) at the Medical Education Complex, Chancellor Tunku Ja’afar Hall here.
Palestinian Centre of Excellence (Pace) director Assoc Prof Dr Hafidzi Mohd Nor also gave a talk at the function.
Through the programme, UKMMC also raised funds for Mercy Malaysia to help the Palestinians in Gaza.
Faizal said Mercy Malaysia was in the process of sending another medical team comprising between six and 10 medical specialists and surgeons to Gaza if the Egyptian authority allowed them to pass through.
“At present, ordinary doctors are not allowed to enter Gaza because the Egyptian authority only gives permission to specialists to enter the area to carry out relief efforts,” he said. — Bernama
