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Pentecost 2009The Diocese of Jerusalem has long been involved in medical ministry and is actively working to enhance its comprehensive network of health care, family support and critical medical services for people in need, particularly in the challenging regions in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. With four major medical facilities in operation, the diocese is dedicated to expanding its much needed services, and creating medical and health care jobs for Palestinian Christians. In the past year, the medical work has been taken to a new level by Dr. Hisham Nassar, a local surgeon who is the Bishop’s Consultant for Healthcare, and by Dr. Harry Gunkel, a volunteer from the Episcopal Church USA, who has lent his expertise to the diocese for nearly a year and half. Dr. Gunkel has now returned to his home in the States, where he assists Dr. Nassar in follow up conversations with American healthcare institutions. His leadership, advice and experience have played an integral role in updating and improving the diocese’s medical clinics and hospitals The four medical centres are: Princess Basma Centre for Disabled Children The centre serves disabled children in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Located in East Jerusalem, Princess Basma Centre offers ambulatory care and temporary livein facilities where mothers of disabled children can learn about proper caring techniques. The Centre is working with Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian institutions to better coordinate cerebral palsy research, and is leading the effort to improve the diagnosis of autism cases in the West Bank and Gaza. Most recently, the Centre is providing artificial limbs and physical therapy services for children permanently maimed or wounded during the recent crisis in Gaza. St Luke's Hospital
St. Luke’s serves as one of the largest – if not the largest – employer of Christians in Nablus, and many Christians depend on St. Luke’s to earn their living and support their extended families. Zababdeh Penman Clinic Zababdeh is a small Christian village located near Jenin in the West Bank. Behind the diocese’s St. Matthew’s church is a clinic with a family doctor, a nurse, a small lab, dental services, and a pharmacy. Most of the villages in the area around Zababdeh do not have adequate social services, so the Penman Clinic is an important and active symbol of the ministry of Christ. See also the article on the new priest serving this community. Health Care Training Programes Partnership with Israeli Hospitals At the present time, very few residency training programmes exist for physicians working in the West Bank and Gaza, and very little specialty training is offered. Programmes to introduce new medical equipment, treatments and procedures are very much needed. Israeli hospitals are geographically close and their healthcare facilities and are well known for their high quality. These hospitals have previously been inaccessible to residents of the West Bank and Gaza seeking medical training. However, the Diocese of Jerusalem has developed a cooperative programme which will enable Palestinian medical personnel to receive training in Israeli hospitals. The length of training may range from a few months for an intensive care unit nurse to up to five years for a residency for a specialized physician. The cost of the actual class room and clinical experience is being covered by the participating hospitals. Living expenses and educational materials are a charge on the diocese. More information about this may be found on the Diocesan website under “Ministries” at www.j-diocese.org
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