AFOPA member Dr Francis Nathan (Ophthalmologist) reports back on his recent visit to Palestine, 1-6 December 2018, with the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF).

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Dr Francis Nathan, Opthalmologist
Rafidia Hospital, Nablus (West Bank)

December is a lovely time to visit Nablus. The weather is cool and the hills surrounding are covered in green.

Thirty-eight patients had cataract surgery with lens implants with eleven operated on with the phaco-emulsification technique (removal of the cataract through a small wound with ultrasonic energy) with the new phaco machine.

“December is a lovely time to visit Nablus. We completed 38 cataract surgeries, with more time spent on teaching and instruction during this visit.”

— Dr Francis Nathan

Unfortunately the extra phaco probes that were ordered had not arrived by then. These items were ordered with money raised from a special fundraising appeal organised through the Australian Friends of Palestine (AFOPA) and the Australian-Palestinian Partnerships in Education and Health (APPEH). The appeal was initiated in May-July this year and raised the phenomenal amount of $35,000.

A separate set of surgical instruments specifically used for phaco surgery was also donated to the Eye Dept. of Rafidia Hospital. (see photo at right)

This was purchased with funds donated from a fund-raising dinner organised by Mr Garry Padde of Nightingale Travel. Garry has been supportive over the years with arranging all our trips to Palestine since the year 2000.

Fortunately all the patients had a good surgical and visual result with no complications. The number of patients operated on was less this time as more time was spent with teaching and instruction.

There are plans to move the Eye Deparment to a new specialist eye hospital (the Hugo Chavez Eye Centre) in Turmus Aya in 2019.

I look forward to returning to Palestine once the extra probes are delivered and the exciting prospect of working in the new centre.

Dr Francis Nathan completing surgery in Nablus, December 2018. [Photo: PCRF]

I would like to acknowledge the untiring efforts of Dr Anan Matar and Dr Husam Rahal and the nursing staff (Sr Raja and Sr Wafa) for their dedication to helping the visually disadvantaged.

Once again I would like to thank PCRF and AFOPA for their assistance with travel expenses and ground support, as well as APPEH and Garry Padde with their magnificent fundraising efforts.

Dr Francis Nathan
Ophthalmic Advisor, PCRF

> Read PCRF article on Francis's working visit to Palestine.

UPDATE, 9 January 2019

The new phaco probes have been received!

The new phaco probes, purchased from the $35,000 raised in our 2018 fundraising appeal, have been received at the Rafidia Hospital, Nablus - see photo below, and appeal report-back here >