Access to healthcare in Gaza has deteriorated significantly amid the ongoing war, exacerbating an already dire situation. The number of daily casualties, wounded and sick individuals exceeds imagination and have exceeded the capacity of the exhausted healthcare system after 18 years of complete sage. The displaced population, now concentrated near Rafah and Khan Yunes faces worsening conditions with looming threats of malnutrition, spreading communicable diseases, and limited access to clean water.

The shortage of medical facilities and resources has significantly increased the risk of severe complications. In ICU units, the mortality rate is approaching 100% due to critical shortages of electricity, medical supplies, beds, and specialised staff. Healthcare workers are operating around the clock under extreme conditions, without access to essential resources such as medical supplies, food, water, rest, safety, or even basic income.

According to the World Health Organization, there is a rise in infectious diseases such as diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, and skin infections, along with outbreaks like hepatitis and Polio. The surge in infections from inadequately treated wounds is putting lives in jeopardy. The UNRWA warns that food and water shortages are pushing most of the population towards famine. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, facing challenges in accessing delivery rooms amid overcrowded hospitals, leading to adverse outcomes for both mothers and infants. Given the unprecedented scale of injuries and ongoing violence, it is critical to establish safe medical evacuation routes for patients needing treatment outside Gaza. International human rights law must ensure that Palestinians who are medically evacuated retain the right to return.

PANZMA emergency response is working to address the medical and surgical shortage particularly on children, women and the elderly who have endured significant injuries compounded by severe emotional distress and the loss of family members.

A medical mission is a humanitarian effort where healthcare professionals volunteer to provide medical care to underserved populations, often in developing countries or regions affected by disaster, conflict, or extreme poverty. These missions typically involve a team of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who offer a range of medical services, from primary care to specialised surgeries, depending on the needs of the community. Currently, PANZMA is focusing its missions exclusively on Palestine, with a primary emphasis on Gaza.

Healthcare Services: Medical missions can provide general medical care, surgeries, vaccinations, maternal and child health services, dental, psychological, rehabilitation and more. The specific services offered depend on the expertise of the volunteers and the needs of the community in Gaza and West Bank.

• Duration: Missions can vary in length from a couple of weeks to several weeks or even months. PANZMA ultimate goal is to run recurring missions to the same location to ensure ongoing care.
• Target Populations: These missions often focus on areas with limited access to healthcare, including main existing but exhausted hospitals, field hospitals and clinics and clinics in refugee camps.
• Preparation and Logistics: Organising a medical mission involves careful planning, including securing medical supplies, obtaining necessary permissions and licenses, obtaining clearances and approvals. It also involves coordinating with local healthcare providers, occupying authorities, WHO, UN and other similar NGOs working in the field to ensure the safety and well-being of the volunteers.

Training and Education: Besides direct patient care, medical missions often include training for local healthcare providers to help improve long-term healthcare capabilities in the community.

Our medical missions are guided by several key objectives:

1. Helping Palestinians in Gaza: We aim to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza by addressing the critical healthcare needs of the community.
2. Immediate Medical Relief: Address urgent healthcare needs and provide immediate medical treatment to those who otherwise would not have access.
3. Specialty Procedures: Our missions include performing specialised medical procedures in areas where access to such services is limited.
4. Supporting Shortages: PANZMA is committed to addressing shortages of medical equipment, supplies, and consumables in Gaza hospitals and clinics, ensuring that healthcare providers have the resources they need to deliver quality care.
5. Educating and Capacity Building: Through our missions, we provide valuable training and educational opportunities for local healthcare professionals and students, empowering them with the skills and knowledge needed to improve healthcare outcomes in their communities. This ensures sustainable healthcare improvements even after the mission ends.
6. Humanitarian Aid: Provide compassionate care and support to individuals in crisis, helping to alleviate suffering and improve quality of life.

1. Focused Impact in Crisis Zones: PANZMA specialises in providing targeted medical and humanitarian aid to the most critical areas, including Gaza. Our missions are tailored to address the specific needs of communities in severe crises.
2. Experienced and Specialized Teams: Our teams include highly trained professionals with extensive experience in crisis settings. Volunteers work alongside experts in their fields, ensuring high-quality care and effective aid.
3. Comprehensive Support for Volunteers: PANZMA provides thorough support for its volunteers, including pre-mission training, safety protocols, and logistical arrangements. We prioritise your well-being and ensure you are well-prepared for the mission.
4. Commitment to Ethical Standards: We adhere to strict ethical standards and transparency, ensuring that all aid is delivered impartially and with respect for the dignity of those we serve.
Volunteers can trust that their work is making a genuine difference.
5. Focus on Local Needs and Collaboration: PANZMA emphasises collaboration with local organisations and communities, ensuring that our aid is aligned with local needs and effectively integrated into ongoing efforts.
6. Strong Network and Community: Joining PANZMA means becoming part of a dedicated and supportive community of like-minded individuals committed to humanitarian work. Our network provides ongoing support and opportunities for collaboration.
7. Transparent Impact Reporting: We regularly report on the outcomes and impacts of our missions, ensuring that volunteers can see the results of their efforts and understand the difference they are making.

Our medical missions follow a structured approach, encompassing the following stages:

1. Recruitment: We recruit qualified healthcare professionals, including surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and support staff, who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.
2. Assembly: Once the volunteer team is assembled, we coordinate logistics and prepare for deployment.
3. Plan: Detailed planning ensures that our missions are executed efficiently and effectively, with clear objectives and timelines in place.
4. Coordination: PANZMA works closely with local and international authorities, as well as organisations such as the UN and WHO, to coordinate mission activities and ensure compliance with regulations and protocols.
5. Mobilisation: Volunteers travel to Gaza, where they integrate their services in the available hospitals, clinics and centres to those in need.
6. Care Provision: Our teams deliver essential medical services, including surgeries, treatments, and consultations, to patients across Gaza.
7. Demobilisation: At the conclusion of each mission, we demobilise our teams, ensuring that all equipment and resources are accounted for and that any remaining needs are addressed.
8. Learned Lessons: We evaluate each mission to identify successes, challenges, and areas for improvement.
9. Continuous Improvement: PANZMA is committed to continuous learning and improvement, incorporating lessons learned from each mission to enhance our future operations and maximize our impact.

Volunteer with PANZMA: Transform Lives with Your Skills and Compassion

PANZMA is seeking committed volunteers to join our mission of providing exceptional surgical and medical care and support to vulnerable people in Gaza – Palestine, particularly in response to the ongoing emergency medical needs due to the war. We welcome both national and international volunteers to be a part of our dedicated teams.

Medical Volunteers

We need healthcare professionals. Currently we are seeking surgeons, doctors, nurses, and other specialists to deliver critical medical services and support in the emergency setting. Your expertise can make a significant impact on the health and well-being of those affected.

Non-Medical Volunteers

We also value the skills of non-medical volunteers who can assist with healthy service administrative tasks, patient coordination, fundraising, community outreach, and more. Your contribution will help us operate efficiently and reach more people in this critical time.

Why Volunteer with PANZMA?

Make a Difference: Use your skills and compassion to improve the lives of individuals and communities.

Professional Growth: Gain unique experiences and insights working in diverse and challenging emergency environments.

Global Impact: Contribute to a cause that has a national and international reach.