Energy Blackouts Will Soon be a Thing of the Past for Gaza's Hospitals

Canadian doctors launch campaign to install solar power on hospitals in Gaza. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) May 06, 2015 - LONDON ONTARIO - A unique health care project will turn the lights back on in Gaza hospitals and improve the lives of over 1.7 million people. Power outages remain a daily reality in the Gaza strip, lasting more than 16 hours a day. Sick patients in hospitals are especially vulnerable, where insufficient power often decides between life or death.

The EmpowerGAZA health project will save lives by installing solar panels on four major hospitals in Gaza. Solar energy will provide reliable and green energy 24 hours a day to emergency rooms, intensive care units, and operating theatres.

"I work in Gaza and see first hand the multiple challenges that impact every aspect of life there," said Dr Tarek Loubani, an emergency physician and collaborator on the project. "Doctors in Gaza were asking for reliable and green power, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) came on board immediately when they heard about the project. Everyone agreed, this project is urgent. We believe people world over will understand the impact and help its success."

"Many in Gaza have felt isolated, but supporting this project is a strong act of solidarity that anyone can do to show Gazans they are not alone," said EmpowerGaza initiator Dr. Ben Thomson. Dr. Thomson has traveled and worked in Gaza for the past 3 years.

EmpowerGaza is a joint initiative aimed at raising USD$1.2 million dollars (~CAD$1.55 million) for solar panel projects at the Al Aqsa, Kamal Adwan, European and Rantisi Specialist Pediatric Hospitals.

In addition to the campaign web site http://igg.me/at/empowergaza, fundraising events are planned in London and Toronto in July. The crowd-funding campaign will run from April 28th-June 26th.

"The resilience of the Gazan people is what ultimately drives this project, and once we are successful with the hospitals, we plan on continuing health related empowerment projects in the area." Thomson added.

Indiegogo campaign: http://igg.me/at/empowergaza
info ( @ ) empowergaza dot org
EmpowerGaza.org
Dr. Tarek Loubani - +1 (519) 488-6475 - tarek ( @ ) tarek dot org
Dr. Ben Thomson - +1 (226) 678-7067 - ben ( @ ) benthomson dot org
Dr. Dalal Dahrouj - +1 (226) 236-2891 - dalal.dahrouj ( @ ) medportal dot ca

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