URGENT APPEAL
19th November 2002
The Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees (UPMRC) condemns the Israeli occupation of the Medical Relief Center in Jenin that occurred today, Tuesday 19th November 2002, at 5.00 am. We have received information that much of our equipment was intentionally destroyed. Our doctors and nurses were threatened at gun-point and prevented from accessing the center, which is currently used as an operational base for the Israeli occupying army.
This latest incident is just one in a series of recent events hindering the provision of medical services. Today, a UPMRC ambulance was stopped at the Walaje check-point on its way from Bethlehem to Hebron. The ambulance driver was beaten by Israeli soldiers. Over the last five days, 10 patients from Yatta who are suffering from chronic kidney disease were prevented from receiving their kidney dialysis treatment in Hebron. Their condition is highly critical. In May 2002, similar events lead to the death of 21-year old Aisha Ali Hasan from Qibiya. In the same region, a young child Mohammed Abu Sabha who was suffering from intermittent bleeding was denied treatment for two days. We urge our friends in the international community to take immediate action and intervene on our behalf stressing the violation of basic human rights that is implied in the denial of medical services. Please send letters protesting against the obstruction of UPMRC services to the Offices of the Foreign Minister ( Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HaKirya Romena, Jerusalem 91950 E-Mail: sar@mofa.gov.il, Tel: 0972-25303531/3631/530, Fax: 0972-25303506) or the Minister of Interior (Ministry of Interior, 29 Salah al-Din Str, Jerusalem 91010, Israel. Fax: 097226294750/ Tel: 097226294701)
Every letter or call does makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.
For more information contact Dr Mustafa Barghouthi , Tel:09722254218
or see our web-site:UPMRC
International Association of Health Policy 