In Arabic, al-shifa الشفاء means healing.

It is a word mentioned several times in the Quran and the hadith. It is also the name of the main hospital in Gaza. It is where you find the men and women who are first in line to assist patients suffering from severe injuries or serious illnesses, patients who are often in excruciating pain.

The resolve and selflessness of these medical staff is beyond words. But there is a shortage of everything: medicine, equipment, water and electricity, ambulances... Their salary isn’t even guaranteed.

Imagine living in a land which the Messenger of Allah عليه الصلاة والسلام prayed to Allah to bless. Imagine living in a land where numerous prophets and companions lived and are buried. Imagine living in a land rich in history and civilisation... yet you do not even have access to basic healthcare. You cannot guarantee that if you fall ill or are injured, you will be adequately cared for. And if you are a healthcare professional, you are unable – despite your desperation to help – to properly aid those under your care.

This is the plight of the 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza.

At a time when the siege and the financial crisis of the government has already left the system on the brink of collapse, large-scale population displacement, environmental health hazards, loss of income and many other factors have drastically increased the vulnerability of the majority of the population. The conflict has had a major impact on the health sector in Gaza and, without your help, hospitals like Al-Shifa are unlikely to recover.

Since the conflict began, Human Aid UK has furnished the emergency ward at Al-Shifa. On average, this ward serves 13,526 patients every month. The charity also supports doctors, nurses and other staff, along with supplying essential medical equipment from patient beds to ambulances (authorised by the Ministry of Health). But it cannot continue to do so without the generosity of those Muslims around the world who are fortunate enough to be able to give.