Charity opens first paediatric operating room in West Bank

A Scottish charity has opened its first paediatric operating theatres in the Palestinian territory of the West Bank.

Kids Operating Room cut the ribbon on the facility at Al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron earlier this week.

Until now, children going to the hospital have had to be treated in adult wards.

Medics in the West Bank have said the hospital infrastructure is struggling to cope with a rising need for paediatric surgery, as it faces pressure from conflict and restricted movement.

Kids Operating Room uses its hub in Dundee to assemble medical equipment for paediatric facilities in countries experiencing humanitarian crises.

It said constructing the operating room in Hebron was one of its most challenging projects to date, involving 3,000 pieces of equipment.

Kids Operating Room recently installed six theatres in Ukraine which can be powered by solar energy, meaning they can continue working during blackouts.

It plans to open two further paediatric operating rooms in Bethlehem and Jericho.

Kids Operating Room co-founder Garreth Wood and Middle East regional director Tariq Shadid travelled to Hebron for the opening.

Mr Wood said: “Getting this operating room here has tested us enormously.

“But children in the West Bank still get appendicitis. They’re still born with conditions that need surgery. Conflict doesn’t change that – it just makes getting them the care they need much harder.”

He spoke of his pride in the team which constructed the facility, adding: “We’ve committed to an initial three operating rooms across the West Bank, and we’re going to deliver them.

“This theatre isn’t a temporary fix, it’s permanent infrastructure that will serve children in Hebron for decades to come.

“Seeing it open, alongside our partners at Al-Ahli Hospital, is a huge moment for this project and it’s only the beginning.

“We now turn our attention to Bethlehem and Jericho, so every child across the West Bank has the same access to safe surgical care.”

Dr Youssef Al-Takrouri, general director of Al-Ahli Hospital, said: “There is a long waiting list for children who need these operations, and some have to wait a long time for surgery.

“This new operating room will help us reduce that waiting list.

“Until now, we have operated two days a week because we share an operating room with other surgical services.

“With a dedicated operating room, we will be able to operate throughout the week, specifically for children and paediatric cardiac surgery.”