Burn training for staff in the West Bank

Interburns has made its third visit to the Palestinian West Bank as part of a partnership with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). Sian Falder, burn and plastic surgery consultant, Danni Mehrez, burn nurse and Ruthann Fanston, burn therapist visited Alia Hospital in Hebron and Rafidia Hospital in Nablus to work closely with local staff.

MAP has supported the build of a new purpose-designed burn unit at Alia Hospital in Hebron. which is fully equipped and almost ready to open. Interburns has provided burn training for staff including fellowships at the Interburns Training Centre in India for two surgeons and advanced burn training for two nurses, in Bangladesh, and support for therapists. On this visit, the team discussed practical aspects of running a burn unit, reviewed facilities and equipment, and discussed the service’s final preparations before the first patient arrives in the next few weeks.

The burn unit in Rafidia Hospital, Nablus has been in operation for the last nine years. The Interburns group worked with Dr Anas and his team, reviewed care protocols and discussed training and development for burns in the West Bank.

The Interburns Essential Burn Care course is currently being delivered each week by local trainers, following a ‘Training of Trainers’ in Ramallah in December 2016, with the plan to train 3000 healthcare staff in the essentials of burn care.

The team were met with extreme courtesy and great friendliness throughout their visit, as is always the case when visiting the West Bank. Progress has been made over the last few months and the new unit in Hebron is ready to open. The team looks forward to further collaboration with both units in order to provide the best possible care for Palestinian burn patients.