Gaza union thanks Australian surgeons for volunteer work

Ma'an- The Union of Health Work Committees on Saturday thanked an Australian medical delegation for performing surgeries in the Gaza Strip.

Union chairman Dr Yousef Awadallah said the Australian doctors had seen hundreds of patients needing specialized treatment and performed 45 operations during their visit.

"This marvelous work and great efforts of the our Australian friends, will not be forgotten, and we wish, one day to welcome all our friends in free Palestine.

"This is our dream and we will fight with support of people like you, to make our dream come true," Awadallah said during a speech at a scientific conference in Gaza City.

The gathering was organized by the union and the Democratic Medical Assembly and attended by the Australian delegation and local doctors.

Australian Professor David Croaker, who specializes in urological surgeries, presented a lecture on methods of diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections in children.

Pediatric orthopedic surgeon Professor Angus Gray gave a lecture on methods of early detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip in newborns, and ways to reduce disabilities caused by the condition.

The delegation is funded by the Australian foundation Kind Cuts for Kids. It is their eighth visit to the Gaza Strip since 2004.