Preventative Health Services for Gaza

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is extremely dire– the unemployment rate is currently over 45% and an estimated 80% of the population relies on humanitarian aid. The Covid-19 pandemic has only made a terrible situation worse. Lockdowns and safety measures have not been enough to keep the virus in check and the weak healthcare system is struggling to keep pace.

Mercy USA’s support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA for Gaza will ensure continued access to critical healthcare. We are providing women mammography screenings for early detection of breast cancer. Glucometers and glucostics will be provided diabetic patients to enable them check glucose level at homes which is particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to protect this high-risk group from contracting the virus. We are also providing foot dopplers to be used for rapid assessment of vascularity of lower limbs to avoid complication and prevent amputation of feet for diabetic patients.

In addition, we are providing vision assessments for UNRWA school students to be facilitated through the auto refractometers to screen for vision problems.