The conflict in Israel and Palestine has put Palestinian medical professionals under extreme pressure, and we remain committed to supporting them. Recently, we funded Dr Fuad Al Qadi, an anaesthesia specialist from Hebron in the West Bank, to attend a PACTS (Paediatric Advanced Cadaveric Trauma Surgery) course in the UK. 

Hebron is no stranger to turmoil, and Dr Al Qadi, who has practiced anaesthesia for nearly a decade, commutes for hours daily between Hebron and Jerusalem. 

“The situation is a nightmare, though not as devastating as Gaza, so one feels guilty to even complain. Frequent raids, countless checkpoints, and a complete lack of safety make life incredibly difficult. Traveling short distances takes hours, and for someone like me, who travels daily, it’s physically and emotionally exhausting. The humiliation we face as Palestinians is extreme, and the longer this continues, the worse it gets.”

Building expertise to save lives 

The PACTS course, organised by the Newcastle Surgical Training Centre (NSTC), is a two-day, hands-on workshop designed for surgeons, anaesthetists, and theatre nurses. It focuses on managing major trauma in children through practical cadaveric sessions, team decision-making, and communication under pressure. Cadaveric training is important as it provides a realistic and safe environment for participants to practice surgical techniques and refine their skills, ensuring they are better prepared for real-life emergencies. Topics covered include thoracic, abdominal, and head and neck injuries, as well as advanced techniques such as updated protocols for massive blood transfusions. Participants also engage in time-limited, scenario-based exercises to simulate real-life trauma situations. 

“At the start of the war there were a lot of clashes between the Palestinians in the West Bank, the Israeli military and the Israeli settlers, and a lot of cases I could have saved if I’d had these skills. It feels like people – well children, actually, just died due to lack of expertise that I now have.” 

Supporting healthcare in conflict 

We’ve been supporting Palestinian doctors since our founding and will continue to do so. Funding doctors to attend courses like these will strengthen healthcare systems in war torn regions. In 2023 we also funded 2 Ukrainian doctors to attend this same course, who then returned to Ukraine and undoubtedly saved many lives in their homeland.  

“I am truly speechless at the opportunity the David Nott Foundation has given me. This experience was incredibly rich and helpful. The team made everything as smooth and easy as possible, and I am deeply grateful for their support. Although I haven’t had the chance to meet David Nott, it’s clear even from the PACTS course discussions that he is an important figure in the field of conflict and trauma surgery. I hope to put these skills to good use and wish I could be in Gaza, where the need for surgical expertise is huge. Though sadly, as a Palestinian, I cannot go. Thank you to everyone involved, Kirstin, Hetty, and the whole team. This was no small thing for me or the Palestinian people.” 

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