Delivering Critical Surgical Supplies with United Palestinian Appeal
Photos courtesy United Palestinian Appeal.
The right equipment can mean the difference between life and death in healthcare. Yet in many parts of the world, health workers lack the essential resources, including surgical supplies, they need to provide affordable, quality care. CMMB’s Access to Medicines Program donates mission-critical medicines and medical supplies to health facilities that serve vulnerable populations, helping fill the gap between need and treatment.
Local partners make these critical deliveries possible. For years, CMMB has worked with United Palestinian Appeal (UPA), a New York-based nonprofit that provides relief and humanitarian support to Palestinians. Thanks to our partnership, we recently delivered surgical supplies to Human Call Hospital at a refugee camp in Lebanon.
Today, the hospital’s medical director shares how our donation came just in time for one of his patients.
Dr. Mahmoud’s Testimony
At Ein El Hilweh, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, an estimated 64,000 people live in crowded, harsh conditions. Poverty is widespread, and security can be unpredictable. Ongoing regional crises contribute to a sense of desperation in the camp.
Dr. Mahmoud is the medical director of Human Call, the camp’s only functioning hospital. The facility is the primary center for emergency cases, and the hospital often treats patients suffering from war-related injuries. Yet few people have insurance, and many struggle to pay for care.
Recently, a car accident in the camp caused several injuries. A man broke his arm and was taken to Human Call, where the staff determined he needed surgery. “Patients like him usually don’t receive support from anyone because there are no institutions that cover them,” Dr. Mahmoud said.
This time, the patient did have support. CMMB recently donated free breathing circuits to Human Call. These medical devices transmit oxygen and anesthetic gases and remove exhaled carbon dioxide, reducing the overall cost of delivering anesthesia and making surgery safer.
For Dr. Mahmoud’s patient, the donated breathing circuits ultimately lowered the cost of his surgery, welcome news as he recovers from his serious injury.
Thank you, UPA and Airlink
Donations help Human Call meet the needs of an impoverished community living under extreme stress. “The medicines we receive are extremely helpful, in addition to the medical instruments, such as the breathing circuits which are very important and support us significantly in surgical procedures,” Dr. Mahmoud shared.
In 2024, CMMB distributed $278.9 million worth of medicines and medical supplies worldwide, giving dedicated healthcare professionals like Dr. Mahmoud the tools they need to serve their patients. Trusted partnerships are key to our work. CMMB’s partner Airlink provided the aviation and logistics support to deliver the breathing circuits to Lebanon, while UPA ensured the devices reached the medical team at Human Call. We are grateful for their partnership, and for the opportunity to support critical healthcare needs during a humanitarian crisis.
