HEALTH and Healthcare for Palestinians was the subject of a challenging talk by Dr Jean Bowyer at a public meeting held on Sunday, February 22 at Lansdowne Crescent Methodist Church.

Jean, a paediatrician with a particular interest in Global Child Health, painted a comprehensive picture of healthcare to Palestinians, both in the West Bank and Gaza, from the cradle upwards. For many years she has been Senior Tutor for a Palestinian project, helping to run first a Diploma course and now a Masters Programme in Child Health at Al Quds University, for nurses and doctors working in primary care clinics. She has worked with Medical Aid for Palestinians, MAP in Gaza and in Lebanon, especially with nurses and midwives visiting homes in the Palestinian refugee camps. She described the current situation in Gaza as dire following the troubles of last summer.

MAP not only addresses the needs of children and the badly wounded but also has concerns over the consequences on health of the badly damaged and inadequate water supply and sewage disposal systems as well as of the destruction of houses, schools and clinics. Many doctors, from the UK and elsewhere, willingly and voluntarily give of their time and expertise to carry out reconstructive and plastic surgery. A collection was taken and £250 has been sent to MAP to aid their work.

MARY WETHERALL