Jerusalem’s New Retinal Unit Nearing Completion

Golden Anniversary appeal comes up trumps!

Many of you will remember that, in February last year, we launched an appeal for funds to upgrade the Jerusalem Hospital’s Medical Retinal Unit.  At that time, we told you that we needed to raise £150,000. 

It is a pleasure to report to you that, this appeal, which also marked the Golden Anniversary of the present hospital building in Sheik Jarrah, actually raised over £254,000 and has meant that a wonderful new unit is now nearing completion.

Our main hospital in East Jerusalem has some of the best diagnostic and surgical services in the area, but at the time of our appeal, our Retinal Unit suffered from a lack of space and limited equipment.  Increased patient numbers of in excess of 70 each day meant that there was an urgent need for more capacity.

As a result of the appeal, towards the end of last year, we were able to commission Bethlehem architects and project managers, Community Development Group (CDG) to completely redesign the unit.  On 2 February, this year, the site was handed over to contracting company “New Dimensions”, which started work in earnest on the four month project, demolishing walls and beginning the process of reinvention.

The site originally consisted of two rooms, two waiting areas and nine lavatories for male and female use.  The new design comprises a purpose-built preliminary assessment room, three examination rooms, a minor operation theatre, a space for cutting edge optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination, two waiting areas, an office, a reception area, three female toilets, two male toilets and one toilet for the disabled!

From day one, the Community Development Group has been keeping an eagle’s eye on the proceedings and, in the three months since the start of the project, we can report that much of the construction work is complete.  Working closely with the hospital administration, CDG has been able to respond rapidly to any unforeseen contingencies and keep the project on track. 

The existing old clinic and toilets, as well as a part of the external cloisters corridor area, have been completely remodeled, giving us a wonderful new space in which we will soon be able to accommodate and treat all of the many retinal patients who come to us. 

We will be able to examine and treat more patients for diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration – among other conditions – and to prevent the delays in surgery which can lead to irreversible deterioration in vision.

It’s only through the kindness of our supporters and funders that this wonderful project has come to fruition.  We would especially like to acknowledge the Norwegian Representative’s Office in Jerusalem, as well as consistent supporters, the Vitol Charitable Foundation, and you, our wonderful readers, who supported the appeal so generously. 

Thank you!  We will bring you the latest news in due course.

Written with the kind assistance of Afif Tweme, Community Development Group