Amira Al-Sabbagh with her mother at the Augusta Victoria Hospital. Photo: LWF/ E. Shaheen
AVH doctors: Gaza war blocks cancer treatment
(LWI) - The death of an twelve-year-old patient from Gaza at the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) in East Jerusalem highlights the devastating human impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Amira Al-Sabagh, who had become a voice for other children facing similar struggles, passed away far from her home and family.
A voice for cancer patients in Gaza
On 11 November 2024, twelve-year-old Amira Al-Sabagh passed away at the AVH after a long battle with cancer. Amira, who had been receiving radiation treatment, had lived at the hospital for over a year as she could not return to her home in Gaza.
Amira was at AVH when the war in Gaza broke out, making her return home impossible. Her story underscores the severe challenges faced by cancer patients from Gaza, especially in the wake of the conflict.
“Amira was diagnosed with a brainstem tumor, which has a very low survival rate. Before the war, we treated patients like her with radiation therapy, available only at AVH, and then sent them home to Gaza for palliative care,” explained Dr. Khadra Salami, the pediatric oncologist who treated her. “With the war destroying Gaza’s healthcare system, Amira had no home to return to and no access to the palliative care she needed.”
With the war destroying Gaza’s healthcare system, Amira had no home to return to and no access to the palliative care she needed.
Dr. Khadra SALAMI, pediatric oncologist at Augusta Victoria Hospital
Separated from her father and younger sister, who remained in war-torn Gaza, Amira stayed in Jerusalem with her mother, Iman Al Eish. “Amira’s greatest wish was to see her father and sister again. She wanted them to leave Gaza and come to Jerusalem, where she felt they would be safe,” her mother shared. “I don’t want to lose my other daughter in Gaza. She’s in the Al-Mowasi refugee camp, and I want her here with me.”
Amira was buried in Ramallah, far from her family. Her mother, confined to Jerusalem by permit restrictions, could not attend the funeral.
“Amira was known for her bright smile and strong spirit. Despite her illness, she became an advocate for the many Gaza patients who, like her, needed critical treatment but were unable to leave the Gaza strip,” says Sieglinde Weinbrenner, LWF Country Representative in Jerusalem. “She spoke out for their right to medical treatment.”
Safe corridor for life-saving treatment
The staff at Augusta Victoria Hospital, which has long been a lifeline for patients from Gaza, has been deeply affected by the situation of patients like Amira and their separation from their families, says Dr. Fadi Atrash, CEO of the AVH. Amira was one of the last cancer patients from Gaza who were able to access treatment at the AVH.
Dr. Khadra Salami, the AVH pediatric oncologist who treated Amira at the AVH. Photo: LWF/ E. Shaheen
Amira’s drawings adorn the office of the AVH psychosocial counselor, who supported her and her mother during their final months together. Photo: LWF/E. Shaheen
Since the war began, no cancer patients from Gaza have been able to access radiation or chemotherapy at AVH. “We have the facilities and medical expertise to provide these life-saving treatments. Some of these patients were already under our care before the war, and our teams are ready to continue their treatment,” Dr. Atrash explained.
The hospital continues to call for medical evacuations to allow patients from Gaza to access care. However, with the conflict ongoing, the path remains closed, and numerous attempts to deliver medication to Gaza have also failed. “Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure has been devastated. Access to medical care is a fundamental human right,” emphasized Dr. Atrash.
