IBDAA Tours US -- Palestinian refugee camp near Bethlehem discusses health issues

Two Chicago-area opportunities to hear about health care projects serving Palestinian refugees in Bethlehem s Dheisheh refugee camp!

The Ibdaa Health Committee U.S. Tour
Thursday April 6 and Friday April 7, 2006 (A free-will donation will be accepted to support healthcare programs at Dheisheh camp; please bring your checkbook!)
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Thursday April 67pm refreshments; 7:30 Powerpoint presentationGrace Lutheran Church, River Forest(Enter from Bonnie Brae)7300 Division StreetRiver Forest, IL 60305

Information: 312/427-2533 x18 or 708/366-6900

Friday April 7Noon-1pmNorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine The Lurie Research Building (on Fairbanks Ave. between Huron and Superior Sts.) Searle Auditorium (ground floor, Huron side)

Information: 312/731-2727

About the Ibdaa Heath Committee
The Ibdaa Health Committee was founded in June 2003 in Dheisheh Refugee Camp (Bethlehem, Palestine), in response to urgent needs of the population whose health and mental health needs were not being met. The committee is comprised of volunteer health and mental health professionals, including nurses, physicians, social workers, and others. Three representatives of the Ibdaa Health Committee will visit the Chicago area over two days in April as part of a multi-city US tour. While in the Chicago area, they will hold two public presentations about their work among refugees and promote support for their projects-in-development to improve healthcare in diabetes, cancer, ophthalmology, women s health and mental health. On the tour, the committee representatives will have site visits to observe how health and mental health services are delivered to stressed populations, especially economically-challenged patients who experience violence in their environments. In addition, they will establish mentoring relationships with American health professionals.

* * *Ibdaa Health Committee tour delegates:

Areej Jafari (f)Areej is the coordinator of the Women's Committee of the Ibdaa Health Committee, in which capacity she organizes educational programs and other activities for women such as English and computer classes, and empowerment and leadership training for female youth.

Wisam Hasanat (m)Wisam is director of the Ibdaa Health Committee. He received his practical nursing degree in Hebron; he is currently completing his BSN at Al Quds University. He works at Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation and Surgery. His specialty areas include surgical and emergency care, including patients wounded by assaults, gunshots, and explosions. He also provides psychological support services to the families of political prisoners.

Talal Shihada (m)Talal is a founding member of the Ibdaa Health Committee and currently serves as the Director of Public Relations. A nurse with more than 17 years of experience, Talal is currently working toward am advanced nursing degree at Bethlehem University and an MA in Public Health at Al Quds University. He currently works at Beit Jala General Hospital, where his specialty areas include surgical and emergency care and pediatrics.

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