The siege imposed on the Gaza Strip by Israel since the election of Hamas in June 2007 has greatly harmed Gaza’s health system. Many services, specialist and life-saving treatments are not available to Palestinians inside Gaza and access to medical care in hospitals outside Gaza has decreased. In addition, as the security situation worsens for Palestinians treatment of chronic patients, among them cancer and heart patients, is postponed, and the supply of medicines and medical equipment to Gaza is delayed.
Dr El Farra is a physician who now works as a public health advocate. She works in developing community based programs that aim to improve health quality and link health services with cultural and recreation services all over the Gaza Strip. Her particular focus is on the rights of women and children. Her seminar addressed the challenges around providing healthcare in the Gaza Strip and her own work in public health.
Dr El Farra was in Canberra as a guest of Australians for Justice and Peace in Palestine (AJPP) and CAIS.