Suliman Rastieh, Jericho, June 2011

Suliman Rastieh is a 13 year-old lad from Jericho. He was brought to one of our Outreach clinics by his parents, who were worried that he seemed to have been losing vision for about six-months.

After speaking with Suliman and his family, we discovered that, a year previously, his right eye had been hit by a stone. At the time, Mr and Mrs Rastieh had rushed Suliman to their local clinic where he was screened by a General Practitioner. The GP reassured the family that the child had suffered only a slight hematoma - or bruising. They were advised, however, that he should also be examined by an ophthalmologist.

*Suliman Rastieh

Having been reassured by the doctor, and intimidated by the potential expense of seeing a local, private specialist, the family did not pursue the GP’s advice to follow up on the boy’s sight. By the time he was brought to us and examined properly by our Outreach doctor, it was discovered that Suliman’s eye had developed a cataract; little wonder that the lad had begun to lose his sight.

Now, the family were extremely worried. Especially when they discovered that Suliman would need to undergo surgery to his eye if he wanted to regain his sight. Fortunately, our doctor was able to take them aside and explain the procedure. He impressed upon the family that they needn’t worry; that the surgery was very simple – with the clouded lens being removed and replaced by an artificial one – and that it would completely recover the boy’s lost vision.

The Rastieh’s were placated; relieved that the surgery would not be dangerous and that their son would be able to return to normal life within days of the procedure. They consented to the surgery and all that remained was to arrange permits for Suliman to make the journey to our Jerusalem Hospital.

The Rastiehs were able to go home, their minds eased. Just being able to consult with a specialist, free-of-charge and in their own area, was of enormous benefit to the family; as it is for thousands of others just like them.