al-shifa-hospital

Al-Shifa Hospital
Al-Shifa Hospital Geography
Location Gaza, Palestinian territories
Organisation
Care system Internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, ophthalmology, obstetrics, gynecology
Hospital type Treatment
History
Founded 1920s
Links
Lists


Al-Shifa Hospital (Arabic: مستشفى الشفاء‎ Mustashfa al-Shifa) is the largest medical complex and central hospital of Gaza, located in the district of North Rimal.[1] The current director of the hospital is Khaled Hassan.[2]Contents [hide]
1 History
1.1 Israeli occupation and Palestinian control
2 References
3 Bibliography

[edit]
History

Al-Shifa, which means "healing" in Arabic, was originally a British Army barracks, but was transformed into a center to provide treatment for quarantine and febrile diseases by the government of the British Mandate of Palestine. Prior to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, al-Shifa was the only hospital in Gaza. When the Egyptians administered the Gaza Strip after the war, the quarantine and febrile diseases department was relocated to another area in the city and al-Shifa developed into the central hospital of Gaza. Initially, a department for internal medicine was established, followed by a new wing for surgery, and subsequently new buildings for pediatrics and ophthalmology were added to the hospital.[3]

After a brief occupation by Israel during the 1956 Suez Crisis, the returning Egyptian administration, under directives by president Gamal Abdel Nasser, paid more attention to the health and social situation of Gaza, and al-Shifa was expanded to include departments for obstetrics and gynecology. They established a new health administration for the Gaza region, later building several clinics throughout the city that were attended by doctors from the hospital.[4] The largest department in al-Shifa was internal medicine (100 beds), then pediatrics (70 beds), surgery (50 beds), ophthalmology (20 beds) and gynecology (10 beds).[5]
[edit]
Israeli occupation and Palestinian control

When Israel reoccupied Gaza in the 1967 Six-Day War, the entire Egyptian administration and staff in the hospital were taken prisoner.[6] By 1969, the internal medicines department grew to contain several sub-departments.[7] The hospital underwent a major Israeli renovation in the 1980s as part of a showcase project to improve the living conditions of Gaza residents.[8]

Much of the media coverage of the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict was broadcast or written by correspondents reporting from the hospital.[9] According to Israeli claims, the Hamas leadership sheltered in a bunker underneath the hospital during the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict.[8] During the fighting, Hamas held meetings inside the hospital and distributed the payroll from the hospital. Israeli authorities stated their reluctance to bomb a hospital, despite their claim that it was being used as Hamas headquarters.[10]
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References
^ Al-Shifa Hospital and Israel's Gaza Siege Defence for Children International Palestine Section. 2006-07-16.
^ Edelson, Daniel. Gaza hospital director: Israel lying: Gaza doctors slam 'crazy' Shin Bet charges that hospitals in Strip used as Hamas hideouts YNET.
^ Husseini and Barnea, 2002, p.135.
^ Husseini and Barnea, 2002, p.136.
^ Husseini and Barnea, 2002, p.137.
^ Husseini and Barnea, 2002, p.139.
^ Husseini and Barnea, 2002, p.141.
^ a b Harel, Amos. Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza Haaretz. 2009-12-01
^ Richman, Rick. Omissions of the Times; the paper of record's reportage from Gaza was most notable for what wasn't covered. March 2009
^ Mizroch, Amir. Dichter: Hamas salaries paid at Shifa Hospital. JPost. 2009-01-12.
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Bibliography
Dr. Zaheer Ahmad
M.Pharm., M.D.
President & CEO,
Shifa International Hospitals Ltd.

http://www.shifa.com.pk/shifa/pm.php

Health in Pakistan, like everywhere else in the world, has become a complex issue. We are working in an environment where a majority is deprived of basic human necessities, let alone healthcare. Complexity of the healthcare provision has multiplied since healthcare has merged with many areas of civilized living like awareness, education, environment and microeconomics etc. No one can think of providing healthcare without addressing the aforesaid aspects of social life.

I am profoundly thankful to Almighty for blessing us with vision and courage to understand and take up the demands of changing scenario in Pakistan's health sector.

Quality is the value that founders of Shifa set as a policy principle, one and a half decade ago, when idea of a quality healthcare center like Shifa International was conceived. With this very concept in mind we started our journey. It took us extensive brainstorming, consistent implementation and swift execution. It kept us alert and awake. But it's what we take pride in. Shifa International is one and only hospital in northern part of the country where quality medical care and patient satisfaction is our top priority.

As a responsible corporate body we have a three fold objective. We have set for ourselves a goal to excel in healthcare economics, social and environmental performance. We have brought possible best in healthcare to the country and will continuously be on our toes to improve it. Our patients enjoy the world class healthcare and need not fly abroad for quality anymore. We have the biggest number of US qualified and highly experienced consultants in different specialties. From mere OPD consultation to complicated surgical procedures to state of the art diagnostic facilities, we are delivering each and every qualitative service under one roof. We are bringing latest healthcare mechanism in country helped check outflow of precious foreign exchange.

Simultaneously, we are also keen about fulfilling our corporate social responsibilities (CSRs) through putting our share to improve community health services and uproot illiteracy. And this we are doing with efficient and effective network of our 'Social Arms'.

(Please visit
www.shifafoundation.org and
www. educatepakistan.com)

Amidst all this multifaceted exercise, we always accord the priority to our patient's satisfaction with quality care In the hope that www.shifa.com.pk will serve as a supporting tool towards efficient and qualitative healthcare delivery to all our patients