Bishop of Norwich appeals for Gaza medical aid 

The Bishop of Norwich spoke in the House of Lords yesterday (February 8), calling for urgent medical aid for Gaza hospitals in the week when the Diocese of Norwich appeal for the Al-Ahli Anglican-run hospital in Gaza reached over £55,000, following Bishop Graham’s visit in October. Keith Morris reports.

Speaking in the House of Lords, Bishop Graham Usher said: “There is an urgent need for medical staff, for fuel, for food for critical medical supplies such as bone stabilisers, antibiotics and anaesthetics across Gaza’s hospitals.” 
 
He urged the Government to “hear the cries of medics in Gaza and press the State of Israel for the World Health Organisation to have sustained access to resupply hospitals across the Gaza Strip so that they can continue to function.” 
 
In October 2023, Bishop Graham visited the hospital in Gaza with Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, and prayed with medical staff. He was there as part of a pre-planned visit to Israel and Gaza. Days later, Hamas unleashed its deadly attack on Israel. 
 
The Al-Ahli hospital is not affiliated with any political party. It is a Christian-led hospital, run by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem and had been operating since 1882. Medical staff looked after all patients, regardless of ethnicity, religion or ability to pay. In peace time, the hospital treats more than 45,000 people each year.  
 
As of 8 February 2024, 150 patients remain critically ill in the hospital, without adequate medical supplies.  
 
The Bishop of Norwich’s appeal for the Anglican led Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza has now reached over £55,000. He said: “I am grateful for the overwhelming generosity of people to the appeal for the Al-Ahli hospital. Back in October it was a place delivering care for the poorest or the poor. They specialised in care for children and women, including mammography services. It was a place of compassion and hope. All that has changed and the hospital can barely function. I cry out in despair.” 
 
Money raised from the appeal will go to supporting the urgent work of the Al-Ahli hospital, or if it stops functioning altogether, other medial support for the civilians of Gaza.  
 
The Bishop of Norwich’s Al Ahli hospital appeal: The appeal has now closed as of February 1 2024, but there may be some fundraising activities still taking place across the Diocese. Therefore, the donation page will remain open for any planned fundraising events.

If you would like to donate to the Bishop of Norwich’s al-Ahli Hospital appeal, raising money to support the work of the medical teams at the al-Ahli Arab Hospital, click here.

Pictured above is Bishop Graham Usher with medical staff at the Ahli Hospital in Gaza.