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Staff at the UAE’s field hospital in the Gaza Strip have been donating their blood to help provide critical medical aid to civilians affected by the Israel-Gaza war, The National can reveal.
More than 48,000 injured Palestinians have been treated at the 200-bed complex in Rafah city since it opened in December.
As part of the UAE's Gallant Knight 3 operation, it continues to provide care for those injured in the war.
Dr Sultan Al Kaabi, the hospital's director, told The National the medical team had conducted five donation campaigns to provide blood to hospitals across the enclave since it opened.
“The Emirati blood has mixed with the Palestinian blood in one vein,” he said.
Dr Al Kaabi said his team were determined to continue delivering services to alleviate the dire healthcare situation in the region, offering much-needed support to civilians caught in the crossfire.
“We received 48,704 patients and conducted 1,773 surgeries. Our goal is to provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza. We are here to offer our expertise and resources to save lives and improve the health conditions in this critical time,” Dr Al Kaabi added.
The Emirati doctor, 47, who has spent more than six months working at the hospital, expressed immense pride at being able to "serve my brothers in such difficult situations".
“You feel pride knowing you've helped many patients in these critical times," he said.
“Many people who leave the hospital after treatment come back to thank us and the UAE for what we have done.”
World-leading technology
The field hospital, which was swiftly assembled by a team of medical professionals and support staff, is equipped with advanced medical technology and supplies.
It specialises in general and orthopaedic surgery and offers anaesthetic services and intensive care for children and adults. It also provides internal medicine, dentistry, family medicine and psychiatric treatment.
Launched after an order by President Sheikh Mohamed after the bulk of Gaza's hospitals were destroyed or left in a state of dysfunction, the state-of-the-art medical complex has the capacity for most types of complex surgery to be carried out, as well as intensive care units and wards, Dr Al Kaabi said.
"We can receive 200 people for trauma and general cases. We have a pharmacy, lab, blood bank and have added a neurosurgery and physiotherapy department," he said.
“We also have a department for mental and physical rehabilitation.”
There is also capacity for people to be fitted with prosthetic limbs, Dr Ak Kaabi said. He explained that the hospital is equipped with SpaceX's Starlink internet service to provide live video medical consultations to patients.
The use of Elon Musk's high-tech satellite system helps healthcare workers deliver crucial care in an area where communications have been cut.
“We added the service to co-operate with Emirati hospitals and specialists from different countries,” he added. "We get consultations about certain cases that we don’t have speciality [for] here in Gaza to provide the best treatment.
As the hospital grew, the Emirati team built storage areas for equipment and medicine that can last for more than 60 days.
The hospital also provides support and medical aid to other hospitals in Gaza, as most are on the brink of collapse.
Saving lives
Dr Al Kaabi has saved many lives but one particular case touched his heart.
“A young man came after a strike and he'd lost two lower limbs. We saved his life after amputating his legs,” he said.
Having previously told Dr Al Kaabi he would rather die than live without the use of his legs, he later thanked the medic for his team's life-saving care.
“He told me he is very happy to walk again to help his mother and family. That was my reward for helping people,” Dr Al Kaabi said.
The doctor, who is a father of three boys and one girl, said his family support him on this mission and his mother calls him regularly to provide encouragement.
“My mother is always telling me to do my job,” he explained. "She keeps telling me that they will take care of my family back home, but I need to stay and help people in Gaza. They are very proud that I’m here."
More than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed, with 90,147 injured in Gaza since the war began on October 7, after Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages.
The war has driven about 80 per cent of Gaza's 2.3 million residents from their homes – with many displaced numerous times – and destroyed apartments, hospitals, mosques and schools.
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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Griselda
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Company%20Profile
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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
England v South Africa Test series:
First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs
Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs
Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31
Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
India Test squad
Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
RESULT
Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0
Man City: Jesus (9')
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
