IDEALS Charity

We have been active in Gaza since 2009; intensively since the 51 Day War in 2014.
Our principal objective: to improve the management of adult and paediatric trauma, including complex limb injuries, through a combination of treatment, training, capacity building and the procurement of essential equipment/consumables.
Subsidiary objectives: to reconnect Palestinian surgeons and allied health professionals to the wider world, excluded by siege since 2007; and to promote the ortho-plastic approach (orthopaedic and plastic/reconstructive surgeons working closely together) to the management of trauma/complex limb injuries.

How we do this:

Close coordination with the health authorities in Gaza, UN agencies (primarily the World Health Organisation (WHO)), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), other international NGOs active in trauma care and clinical colleagues in Gaza’s hospitals.
Regular visits, up to eight per year since 2014 (interrupted only by the COVID-19 pandemic), by teams of volunteer NHS orthopaedic and plastic surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and radiographers.
Visits supplemented by weekly/fortnightly videoconferences, email and WhatsApp communication.
Seven training fellowships for Palestinians in UK trauma/limb reconstruction centres (three surgeons, two nurses and two physiotherapists): four more planned, two imminently.

Our long-term support has brought about:

Capacity for the management of the most severely wounded where formerly there was none.
Reduction in the numbers of wounded transferred out of Gaza for treatment.
Significantly improved outcomes for patients: better quality of life; less pain; and able to do more of the routine tasks we all take for granted.
Acceptance and welcome by patients, clinical colleagues and health authorities alike.

To read a case study that really highlights the value of the limb reconstruction service click here

Established Primary Trauma Care courses in Gaza; delivered the initial training courses and trained local trainers within the Ministry of Health to ensure sustainability
Difficult airway management training - particularly important in major trauma
Further training in trauma care for first responders (paramedics)
Associated with evidence based medicine development in Gaza
Water quality - provided the public health service in Gaza with the equipment and training needed to monitor the quality of drinking water; both routinely and during emergencies
Supported improvements in theatre practice/hygiene and hospital sterilisation services
Supported the National Society for Rehabilitation with: an upgrade for their mobility aid repair/maintenance workshop; and the purchase of five Braille computer-speakers to allow those with visual impairment to utilise the computer laboratory
Funded the addition of an occupational therapist to the multidisciplinary team at Al Asdiqaa Association; a local NGO that runs a community based rehabilitation programme for persons with disability in Rafah, south Gaza