Update on MECC Gaza Clinic from Department of Services to Palestinian Refugees

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

We have received an updated report from our sources in Gaza on the incident involving the Health Care Centre in Shijaiya. The building which hosted the Centre was targeted by F16 fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force. It is important to note that the estate on which the Centre was hosted was a rented estate and was not owned by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). According to our understanding, the IAF was targeting the owner of the building who was residing in the upper part of the building. MECC/DSPR had no knowledge of the involvement or the type of business the owner was engaged in. The entire building was reduced to rubble with all equipment and medical supplies completely destroyed. The Health Care Centre will now not be able to offer services to the residents of the Shijaiya neighborhood, particularly at a time when they need it the most. The location of the Centre is in the east borders of Gaza city, an area which is constantly bombarded and targeted by the Israeli army, with a high rate of casualties and wounded. A more detailed list of the damages and losses will be given out shortly.

The Health Care Centre was established in 1968 to tend to the needs of the Shijaiya community, which is known for its high population density and where the majority of the residents are living under the poverty line. Almost all residents in the clinic vicinity are in no state to afford any medical treatment, purchase of medicine, or doctor visits. The Centre used to offer treatment free-of-charge and medical services to the public and is considered a valuable and very helpful clinic. Among its other services, the Centre carried out the following:

Medical care for pregnant women
Medical care for children
Open lectures and awareness-raising sessions on family care and organization
Medical care for all forms of diseases
Independent dental care unit
Pharmaceutical services
Medical lab services

Condemnation from the DSPR and the Council of Churches in Jordan
The DSPR office in Jordan, its management, staff, and field workers vociferously condemn the Israeli attack on Gaza and particularly the targeting of innocent civilians. The office conveyed its great pain and empathy with the people of Gaza and is praying for the end of the attacks and for the restoration of calm. Meanwhile, the Council of Churches in Jordan organized a silent demonstration which was attended by hundreds of people from the Christian community in Jordan. Additionally, the Council published a statement condemning the ruthless attacks by the Israeli army and the blatant disregard for innocent lives. In the statement, the Council called on all international organizations, including all Christian and Muslim peace-seeking organizations, to put pressure on the Israeli government to halt all forms of attacks on the Palestinian people. The participants of the demonstration, headed by the heads of churches in Jordan, chanted and prayed aloud for the well-being of the Palestinian people and especially those affected by the Israeli attack on Gaza. The demonstrators raised pictures of King Abdullah the Second as well as Palestinian flags.