The Diocese of Southwark has long links with the Diocese of Jerusalem
and St George’s College, Jerusalem. On 20 January 2021 a formal
partnership link, the Southwark – Jerusalem Covenant, was signed
between the Diocese of Southwark and the Diocese of Jerusalem and the
Middle East.
For so many in the Diocese of Jerusalem life is very hard and very
complicated. Travel is restricted for many Palestinians in Gaza and the
West Bank and sometimes people cannot even travel in order to go to
work. There is often not enough food and education and medical care
can be difficult to access. Good mental health and well-being is very
difficult to sustain in the Occupied Territories and elsewhere.
Travel restrictions are a daily reality for Palestinians in Gaza and the
West Bank and for thousands of families across the region, the charitable
hospitals and community clinics of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
are the only healthcare options close to their homes. Serving some of
the most vulnerable people in the world, these institutions welcome all
patients regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or ability to pay. Everyone
is treated with dignity and respect.
Accessing care for diabetes
That is why the Diocese of Jerusalem wants to be able to do more to
ensure that those who have medical needs, particularly diabetes, can
access care in Ramallah. Access to good medical care can help to relieve
the stress and anxiety caused when there is uncertainty around the
availability of help needed to manage an illness.
Diabetes is one of the top national health priorities. The Palestinian
Ministry of Health Annual Report for 2020 notes that the first leading
cause of death in Palestine are cardiovascular diseases and the second
is diabetes.
The incidence of diabetes in the population is high with more women than men being
diagnosed with it. In 2020 46.9 men per 100,000 population were suffering from diabetes
and 174.4 women per 100,000 population. Diabetes mellitus (DM) commonly known
as diabetes, is a serious public health issue as it is a major cause of blindness, kidney
failure, heart attacks, stroke, lower limb amputation and premature death.
The aim of the project the Diocese of Jerusalem is asking us to support is to reduce the number of deaths caused by diabetes and its complications, among poor and needy people who cannot afford the services. It is also hoped that the project will help to decrease the number who are diagnosed with diabetes.
The Arab Episcopal Medical Centre was established in Ramallah, Palestine, in June 2013. It is situated on the same campus as St Andrew’s church. It is an outpatient medical centre focused on the management of diabetes. It also provides a comprehensive management service for diabetic complications including diabetic foot care, as well as cardiovascular healthcare. This comprehensive approach is not provided by any other diabetic centre in Palestine. At the Arab Episcopal Centre patients receive all the services they need in one place and this has reduced the burden on patients, who otherwise have to move from centre to centre to complete the management cycle of diabetes, its complications and treatment.
Diabetes is preventable if the signs of the condition are noticed early enough, but many cannot afford the diagnostic services necessary to detect diabetes before it develops. This project will allow people to receive treatment before diabetes is fully developed and the case becomes more complicated and harder to treat.
The project will enable early screening and detection of diabetes among up to 200 disadvantaged people ensuring timely management of diabetes and its complications. In addition, the project aims to increase the patient’s knowledge and awareness about living with diabetes and most importantly help to reach those on a low income at an early stage for diagnosis and treatment.
The cost of this project is £50 per person which would enable them to receive necessary tests and have their results recorded, and be offered any treatment needed to remain in good health.
Please can you consider giving £50 to cover the cost for one person?
Through raising money for the Bishop of Southwark’s Lent Call you can help as
many people as possible to benefit from this project and help change the lifestyle
of someone living with diabetes.
Find out more at southwark.anglican.org/lentcall
