Introduction:

The medical education landscape in Gaza has faced a near standstill after the events of October 7, severely impacting both the health and educational infrastructures. This gathering presents a unique opportunity not only to address these immediate challenges but to lay the groundwork for a sustainable recovery. By potentially forming an alliance among medical universities, we can significantly increase the number of qualified medical professionals ready to meet Gaza's urgent and future health needs. Thus, your presence at our events (Teach-ins, Poetry for Palestine, Run4Palestine and MEDGala) is a gift from us and your donations could play a crucial role in saving lives and shaping the future of healthcare in the region.

About us:

We're a group of medical students and medical professionals in the Netherlands who are raising money to help support the education of medical students in Gaza. We're currently operating under the name 'Utrecht Medics for Gaza'. The donations will be used to form a team of medical doctors and teachers that will help develop online classes. These resources are organized by PalMed Academy, with whom we have had contact for almost a year. PalMed Academy is an initiative under the Palestinian Doctors Association in Europe, aimed at advancing medical education and healthcare in Palestine. One of its key projects is the GEM (Gaza Educate Medics) initiative, which was launched to support medical students in Gaza who are facing educational disruptions due to ongoing conflicts.

GEM provides online medical education to approximately 2,500 students, in collaboration with local universities like Al-Azhar and the Islamic University of Gaza. The initiative leverages international expertise, offering accredited programs to help students continue their studies and contribute to the healthcare system in Gaza​.