By Mohammed Omer, The Electronic Intifada, 21 February 2011
Rafah, Occupied Gaza Strip (IPS) - It was easy enough to rename Children's Hospital of Mubarak al-Tahrir Hospital in Gaza. Not so easy is the task of managing their care for patients who need to cross the Egyptian border.
Cross the border for medical treatment, has always been a difficult task. During the riots it was practically impossible, although the new government of Egypt is showing signs of indulgence.
There have been some relaxations in the restrictions of movement, and some signs that the border will be open Tuesday to allow the crossing to 300 people. Priority will be given to urgent clinical cases, told IPS officers security forces in Gaza.
Friday, the Egyptian army has reopened its passage of the Rafah crossing to allow some Palestinians to enter the Gaza Strip.
Changing the name of the hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip is symbolic, but it shows the new hope that the Hamas government in Gaza feeds on better relations with the new Egyptian government. Many in Gaza consider that under former President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has long supported the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
The change of regime in Egypt could mean hope for hundreds of patients from Gaza who have need to leave the Strip for treatment.
The new wording of the hospital is "in honor of Tahrir Square in Cairo and the Egyptian Revolution that took place there recently," said dr. Yousef al-Mudallal, director of personnel of the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
Former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat had given the name of the hospital when Mubarak was established in 1999. This is the first government institution in Gaza that change in name.
Near this hospital is the Nasser hospital, named after former President Gamal Abdel Nasser. The hospital al-Tahrir is now considered part of Nasser hospital specializing in pediatric care, neonatal and maternity, as well as a physical therapist.
Most of the Palestinians in Gaza celebrated the removal of Mubarak. But the total closure of the border has been disastrous for patients with these and other hospitals.
Among the patients who so badly expenditure is Mona Yassin, 43, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went to a hospital in Cairo shortly before the revolution began. "I spent the 8000 Egyptian pounds [U.S. $ 1,260] I had put aside for treatment," he said. He no longer money or to return or to stay. She and some family members had rented an apartment in Cairo.
"Now, I can neither return home nor to continue treatment," he told IPS. Her husband has since received the news that if he can not come back, passing through Rafah, will lose their jobs, which supports the family, which includes seven children.
Afan Hamed, 42, died in Egypt while he was waiting for treatment. Afan's body was brought back to be buried in Gaza through tunnels dug under the Gaza-Egypt border.
When IPS called to verify the situation of this case, a border guard said that according to the documents in its possession of the body now buried Afan is still abroad.
Since the time of the attack on the flotilla of humanitarian aid in Gaza on May 31 last year, the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt was only partially open for six categories of persons, including those in need of medical treatment, and the few students enrolled abroad with residence permits abroad.
During the closure of the crossing, the Hamas de facto government has strictly controlled the border. "We are monitoring the border and not allow anyone to enter without permission," said Ayyoub Abu Shaar.
Abu Shaar said that an easing of restrictions is necessary for humanitarian cases in Gaza ... because there are very urgent cases waiting for medical treatment abroad.
Every day, across the border from 300 to 500 Palestinians, mainly those in need of medical care, and students going abroad.
The Palestinian official dr. Ghazi Hamad said that negotiations are under way to keep Rafah open permanently.
Many Palestinians in Gaza see Egypt as the port of Gaza to the world, and there are great expectations that the new government aid to end the siege of Gaza with a more lenient on border crossing of Rafah.
[1] Translated by Andrea Carancini. The original text is available at: http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11818.shtml
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