MER-C Bangun Networking Lewat Konferensi Pembangunan Kembali Fasilitas Kesehatan Gaza di Yordania
MER-C mengirimkan tiga relawan ke Yordania untuk berpartisipasi dalam konferensi internasional membangun kembali fasilitas kesehatan di Jalur Gaza. Melalui konferensi ini, MER-C membangun networking dengan NGO internasional dan asosiasi profesi medis dari berbagai negara serta pejabat pemerintahan. Networking ini nantinya akan dibutuhkan untuk program-program MER-C di Gaza dalam rangka membantu warga Palestina. Tidak hanya dalam hal pembangunan kembali Rumah Sakit Indonesia di Gaza, tetapi juga program kemanusiaan lainnya. “Pada saat konferensi, kami berdiskusi, memformulasikan bagaimana memobilisasi bantuan medis semaksimal mungkin pada saat perang dan mempersiapkan untuk membangun sistem kesehatan di Gaza setelah perang berakhir,” kata Ketua Tim dr. Arief Rachman. “Tetapi kita semua sadar hal yang paling utama saat ini adalah gencatan senjata, agar kita dapat memberikan bantuan medis atau bantuan kemanusiaan lainnya kepada warga Palestina. Konferensi ini adalah inisiasi awal untuk membangun fasilitas kesehatan di Gaza dan hasil dari konfrensi dituangkan dalam The Amman Declaration to Rebuild Health Sector in Gaza,” ujarnya. The 1st International Conference to Rebuild Health Sector in Gaza merupakan konferensi Internasional pertama untuk membangun kembali sektor kesehatan di Gaza yang diinisiasi oleh The Jordan Medical Association and the National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA). Konferensi ini diselenggarakan bekerja sama dengan asosiasi, entitas dan serikat pekerja profesi, serta lembaga dari berbagai sektor yang mewakili lebih dari 25 negara. Konferensi ini menyoroti sektor kesehatan di Gaza pasca-konflik, menyajikan laporan rinci, studi lapangan dan rencana komprehensif untuk rekonstruksi dan pengoperasian sektor kesehatan di Gaza. Misi dari konferensi ini adalah memobilisasi dan membimbing komunitas medis global dalam memberikan dukungan ekstensif untuk menghidupkan kembali sistem layanan kesehatan yang tangguh di Gaza. “Kami memperkirakan adanya kebutuhan mendesak akan rumah sakit dan klinik lapangan segera setelah keadaan memungkinkan, mengingat konflik yang sedang berlangsung, ” kata Arief. “Pada tahap berikutnya, penekanan kami akan beralih ke pembangunan kembali rumah sakit, sekolah kedokteran dan berbagai fasilitas kesehatan yang telah dibongkar. Tujuan utama kami adalah menciptakan lingkungan yang aman dan terpelihara bagi penduduk lokal. Secara kolaboratif, kami berkomitmen untuk membangun kembali infrastruktur layanan kesehatan di Gaza demi masa depan yang lebih sehat dan tangguh,” tambahnya. Konferensi ini diakhiri dengan seruan untuk mengadakan pertemuan internasional kedua yang akan menggali lebih dalam kebutuhan dan persyaratan sektor kesehatan di Gaza secara kuantitatif, sembari membahas lebih lanjut inisiatif penggalangan dana dan sumber daya. Pertemuan kedua ini juga akan fokus pada tantangan dan kondisi khusus terkait perang, dengan mempertimbangkan tantangan unik lainnya terhadap ekosistem layanan kesehatan di Gaza.
MER-C to open Indonesian health center in Myanmar
Jakarta (ANTARA News) – MER-C Indonesia has been helping with the construction of an Indonesian Health Center in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. “The Rakhine state government in Myanmar, has allocated a plot of land located in the Mrauk U region for a health center,” Dr. Joserizal Jurnalis, Chairman of the Team-3 of MER-C for Myanmar, said recently. The Myanmar government is also supporting the plan to set up a health center. The team left for Minbya through Sittwe, on August 28 with the assistance of the Indonesian embassy in Yangon. From Sittwe, they took a speedboat for a three-hour journey to Minbya. In Minbya, the team also visited two schools constructed by the Indonesian government. One school is for Buddhists and another for Muslims. The two-story schools are located at a distance of just 500 meters from each other. In February this year, MER-C Indonesia donated two power generators to support the schools activities. “Students in both the Buddhist and Muslim schools were very happy to meet the team,” Jurnalis said. From Minbya, the team was accompanied by an Indonesian embassy staff member and officers of the Rakhine state administration, who proceeded to Mrauk U in six cars. When they arrived in Mrauk U, they could see that the area was still chaotic in the aftermath of flooding. The 4000 square meter site for an Indonesian Health Center is located between the Site village, which has a Muslim population of 650, and the Nanja village having 1,700 Buddhist inhabitants. MER-C Indonesia has paid Rp17.6 million to the local farmers to compensate the state-owned land. The construction of the health center building is estimated to cost Rp3 billion. For Indonesians interested in extending financial aid for the health centers construction, the Medical Emergency Rescue Committee has opened bank accounts in Bank Central Asia (BCA), with account number 686.028.0009 and in Bank Syariah Mandiri (BSM), with account number 700.1306.833. Earlier, the team had gifted an ambulance to the residents of Rakhine in Sittwe, the states capital. MER-C Indonesia is currently also preparing to inaugurate an Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, Palestine.(*) Source : http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/100318/mer-c-to-open-indonesian-health-center-in-myanmar
MER-C Departed Phase 3 Team to Precede Medical Equipment Procurement for Gaza’s Indonesia Hospital
In order to complete development program of Indonesia Hospital at Gaza, Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) has departed Phase 3 volunteer team from construction division. Apart from finishing Indonesia Hospital development, the team will also assign for preceding medical equipment procurement, donated from Indonesian people. Team lead by Ir Edy Wahyudi is planned to complete Indonesian Hospital development, related to its mechanical and electrical side. The team will also finish Indonesian Guest House development which is located in area of Indonesia Hospital. The team of 15 was departed on Saturday (28/6) at 9 am by Malaysia Airlines, followed by Egypt Airlines. They were scheduled to be arrived at Cairo on Sunday (29/6) at 4.55 am local time. Arriving in Cairo, team will go straight to Rafah border, leading to Gaza. In the meantime, within the last month according to information sent by MER-C volunteer at Gaza, received by MER-C Headquarter, there have been attacked to Gaza area. Not only building damages have occurred but also loss of lives. Until now MER-C is still fundraising for medical equipment procurement for Indonesian Hospital that amounts to Rp. 50.000/person
Press Conference conducted by Freedom Flotilla Coordinator
Istanbul – Today (28/3) was conducted a press conference by koordinator Fredoom Flotilla’s coordinator and lawyers representing prosecutors in a case of Israeli’s army attack toward the crew of Freedom Flotilla. Adnan Wirawan of TPM ( Muslim’s Lawyers team) has questioned on what to do if Turkey’s court decided to close the case, and IHH Chairman Bulent Yildirim has answered the fact since the beginning Freedom Flotilla has won the case. He also mentioned that Turkey’s law also has provided clear foundation that in a case like this, the four Israeli Generals would be immediately arrested. According to Bulent, a “public case” could not be covered according to Turkey’s law since each court’s session conducted would show to the world that the case has still been going on. Bulent also said if only the case was closed by the judges, therefore it only showed the defeat of Turkey, since the case is a great opportunity to show its national law power. And even if the case was closed, the Mavi Marmara ship is still available and ready to be used in re-sailing to Gaza.
Witness Court Hearing on Mavi Marmara Case
Istanbul – On March 27, 2014 has been held a further hearing over an assault case against the Freedom Flotilla 2010 that caused the death of 9 activists aboard Mavi Marmara. The trial called some of Freedom Flotilla organizers Turkey, namely those who were responsible on guarding Mavi Marmara and a cargo ship named Defne Y , that brought building materials to be used in Gaza,Palestina. Dilaver Kutluay, who was on board of Defne Y when the attack occurred, witnessing how he saw Israeli soldiers were continuously shooting, throwing gas bombs and pointing laser guns at Mavi Marmara ship. He also heard people on board screaming, ensuring him that many people were injured. Dilaver recalled at least 20 Israeli soldiers who boarded Defne Y and underlined the existence of a person who claimed to be Jew, speaking fluent Turkish, and acknowledged he was a Turkish representative in Israel, forcing Defne Y passengers to sign off a document while threatening that if the document was not signed, the penalty is 10 years in prison, in Israel Dilaver claimed that his goods were taken, being stripped off and beaten several times, even when he wanted to help an injured friend at Ashdod prison. Dilaver added that there was an Israeli soldier who spoke fluent Turkish to Kapal Defne Y and when asked, he said that he came from Istanbul. Omer, who were aboard Mavi Marmara when the attack occurred, said until now he is still traumatized by the incident that he experienced almost four years ago, since he always thinks that Israeli soldier will come from the helicopter on the deck of his house. At the end of trial, all lawyers filed a claim to the court. They said that in Turkish law, the case categorized as systematic torture so that judges should perform procedure arrest toward General Gavriel Ashkenazi, Admiral Eliezer Marom, Brigadir General Avishai Levi, and Major General Amos Yaldin. Lawyers also asserted that human right is above all law and all defendants were required to comply with all court orders and explained the reason of their actions. They also demanded judges to freeze the property of four people and asked the connection between Turkish police department and the Israeli since while a passport of one Turkish citizen was returned back after being hold in Israel, the person asked who gave the passport to them. The police officer only asked the Mavi Marmara passenger not to ask more details. By the end of the trial session, judges announced that the decision of procedure arrest will be on the next court which falls on May 26, 2014.
Mavi Marmara Conference Search for Justice in Istanbul
Istanbul – Mavi Marmara Conference Search for Justice “Not the law of the strong but justice for all” has been held on March 25, 2014 at Ali Emiri Kultur Merkezi, Istanbul, Turkey. The conference that was initiated by IHH aiming to unite mission and vision in an effort to prosecute Israel crimes mainly on Mavi Marmara ship and Freedom Flotilla in general. On the opening session, IHH Chairman Bulent Yildirim said although there are so many challenges in order to prosecute Israel, whereas the Turkey’s judges refused on Furkan Dogan’s murder case, but however this is the first time Israel has been prosecuted by many countries for the same case, which means that Israel is experiencing the largest upsets in the history of their occupation. At the meantime, Dror Feiler, who is a former Israel citizens insisted that Israel should be brought to the International Court that has already brought Milosevich in Den Haag. Ahmet Dogan, the father of the late Shahid Furkan Dogan said that his son was a US citizen although he did not receive justice from the US court since to date, US law does not allow criminal prosecution on Israel state due to no agreement yet to the state. Meanwhile Greta Berlin told the initial movement voyage to Gaza was pioneered by Greta herself with other four members in 2008. At the same time, Dimitri Plionis explained that there should be a common perception that Freedom Flotilla was an international initiation consisting 36 countries, not only initiated by Turkey. Ziyad Patel who is the lawyer of Gadija Davids (South Africa) comparing apartheid system that happened in South Africa to the one that has been still going in Palestine. Ziyad said that international colonialism is heavily criticized by international community and this case can be raised in the lawsuits against Israel. Prof Dr Ali Emrah Bozbayindir explained that there are two things that can make these cases become more strategic, namely the attacks against humanitarian reinforcements can be categorized as a serious war crime, meanwhile if we can prove that the killing was done by “execution style”, this can be eliminate Israel’s alibi that they had done self defense on Mavi Marmara ship. Some of speakers presented included Ismail Bilgen, son of Shahid Ibrahum Bilgen, Ugur Yildirim, Yasin Samli, Ahmet Turk of Palestine, Boye Gonzales of Spain, France and Gilles Dever from Gulden Sonmez of IHH.
Philippines Appreciates MER-C Surgical Team Performance
Cebu, Philippines – DOH or Department of Health of Philippines and a number of foreign NGOs of various countries have given their applause and tremendous appreciation to MER-C surgical team performance. It was delivered on Coordination meeting, held by DOF of Philippines, Tuesday (3/12) located at DOH office, Cebu City with three MER-C volunteers attended the meeting to give team’s activity report. The volunteers are dr. Abdul Mughni, SpB KBD, dr. Nurul Qomaruzzaman, SpOT and dr. Dany Kurniadi Ramdhan, SpBS. “We didn’t expect to be given an applause and appreciation from attendants among all were UNICEF, Japan Army, etc after dr. Abdul Mughni , MER-C’s team President had delivered a report,” said dr. Nurul Qomaruzzaman, which is also a Vice Chairman of MER-C Team for the Philippines. Moreover, volunteer who is also a spine surgeon explained that from the beginning, other attendants of the meeting said the victims of the catastrophe have not been medically treated in Medellin and other regions in North Cebu. However, according to him, MER-C team member has explored all those regions. “We have served around 1.670 outpatients through clinic mobile program and have been conducted 12 major surgeries from radius of all North Cebu District to the farthest island in Kinatarcan,” he added. All information that has been delivered, make the attendants applaud since MER-C team has answered all previous problems and complaints about no medical facilities and activities in Medellin. Gratitude also came from a number of Bogo Medellin Medical Center (BMMC) medical team, the hospital that has been hit by typhoon and was a MER-C team member’s place during their humanity duty in Philippines. “Congratulations to MER-C INDONESIA GROUP for being number 1 among 20 countries rendered Medical Mission in Northern Cebu, thank you so much” (Enirhtak Ocificap Atelom). “Congrats everyone from the MER-C group! It has been an honor working with you. Much love from BMMC and the whole of Medellin” (LZ Hurado Iscanilla). “Medical Emergency Rescue-Commitee team from Indonesia, knowing that we are not alone you’re one of the reasons why we survived and we rise again. Terima kasih.” (Holda)
MER-C Conduct Surgery and Medical Treatment for Haiyan Typhoon Victims
Cebu, Philippines – MER-C surgical team, led by Dr. Abdul Mughni SpB KBD, which was departed to Cebu, Philippines on Friday night (22/11), has arrived safely at Mactan Cebu airport on the following day, Saturday (23/11), 11.30 am local time. At Cebu, the team has been directly coordinated with local Health Management Center in order to manage some clearance and to map out disaster locations that were considered urgent. After receiving information, all team members drove to North Cebu, on the Municipality of Medellin that has been hit by Haiyan typhoon on November 8-9, 2013. The team also visited Bogo-Medellin Medical Center, a local regional hospital that is appeared to experience damage in some parts due to the typhoon disaster. After coordinating to the Chief and Staffs of local hospital as well as evaluating medical needs, MER-C team decided to provide first aid in the region. The team stayed one night on that day in one laboratory that has been prepared by the hospital staffs, to unwind after day and night travel to the location. The following day, Sunday (24/11), to streamline time and work, dr Abdul Mughni as the Chief, divided his 9 team members into 2, they are Surgical team and Mobile Clinic Team. The surgical team would focus on traumatic patients at the hospital, meanwhile Mobile Clinic team would in charge on taking a look alongside North Cebu region that has been hit by Haiyan typhoon. Since Sunday morning, Dr. Abdul Mughni, SpB KBD, dr. Dany Kurniadi, SpBS, dr. Nurul Qomaruzzaman, SpOT and Ita Muswita (surgery nurse) have directly treated both hospitalized patients and outpatients at Emergency room of the hospital. On that day, a surgery has also been conducted to one patient who suffered from left wrist fracture case (Radius Ulna). Despite lack of medical equipment, -without any cauterized electric appliance-, the surgery was successfully completed during one and half hour of time. The mobile clinic team was also quite hectic in providing medical treatment to the victims, as well as surgical team in the hospital. The team was greeted with great enthusiasm by victims of typhoon, mainly local people in Barangay Kawit. The damage caused by the typhoon were appeared alongside the region. Despite their houses and residential buildings have been swept away by the typhoon, they did not intend to evacuate themselves. They built tents next to the houses’ ruins and remains instead. Located in Kawit Barangay Hall about an hour Bogo Medellin Medical Center, the Mobile team consisting of 2 general practitioners, 1 nurse and 2 non-medical staffs had treated one by one local people that came for help. Medicine that has been given by the team was those which had been brought from Indonesia, from the donations of its people. Despite the crowds, local people seemed to be quite patient and make a queue in order to get medical treatment. The team is scheduled to stay one more day at Bogo-Medellin Medical Center before moving to other disaster regions. This is due to more victims that still need surgical treatment, as they are suffering from low-wrist fractures and necrotic wound debridemant.
MER-C’s Surgical Team be Prepared for Philippines
Jakarta – MER-C is being prepared to depart their surgical team to the Philippines. MER-C Presidium Dr. Jose Rizal Jurnalis said the impact of Haiyan typhoon in the country will cause a high toll of traumatic victims in need of surgical action. The team scheduled to depart on November 17, 2013 plans to start from Cebu to find for locations which are in need for urgent assistance. Jose Rizal also added since disaster recovery would need for uncertain period, so that Inshallah, MER-C will send their next team. In Philippines, MER-C will cooperate with local institutions, including Catholic churches to distribute donations for all victims MER-C Accounts for Philippines – Natural Disaster : BCA, Kwitang Branch, 686.0099339 BSM, Salemba Branch, 701.5658899 on behalf of Medical Emergency Rescue Committee