Throughout October 2026, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) organized five medical missions across the West Bank, bringing together local healthcare professionals and international volunteer doctors to expand access to specialized care for children and support local medical teams.

The missions included two international maxillofacial and cleft surgery missions in Hebron and Nablus, an arthroscopic surgical and training mission in Nablus, and two local surgical missions in Jenin. Together, these efforts brought specialized treatment closer to children’s homes while supporting the continued development of local medical expertise.

Maxillofacial and Cleft Surgery Mission in Hebron

From October 23–30, PCRF organized an international maxillofacial and cleft surgery mission at Alia Hospital in Hebron. The team screened 65 patients and performed 17 surgeries.

The mission was led by PCRF Medical Advisory Board Director and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Imad Tamimi, alongside fellow maxillofacial surgeons Dr. Raymondo Ramirez and Dr. Luis Alvarez Varela.

The team also included local surgeon Dr. Ibrahim Elhaih, anesthesiologist Dr. Zeshan Siddiqui, and certified registered nurse anesthetists Mahmoud Salhab, CRNA, MSN, and Arwa Salhab, CRNA.

Working alongside local healthcare professionals, the visiting team provided specialized surgical care while supporting collaboration and the exchange of clinical expertise.

Maxillofacial and Cleft Surgery Mission in Nablus

During the same period, October 23–30, a second international maxillofacial and cleft surgery mission took place at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus. The team screened 65 patients and performed 13 surgeries.

The mission brought together PCRF Board Member and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Khaled Abu Ghazaleh, alongside fellow maxillofacial surgeons Dr. Amro Shehabi, Dr. Fernando Sandoval, and Dr. Ahmad Masri.

Local orthodontist Dr. Aziza Nassar and anesthesiologist Dr. Samir Abdo also joined the team, supporting the delivery of specialized care.

Across the Hebron and Nablus missions, the teams completed 130 patient screenings and 30 surgeries, connecting children with specialized surgical expertise through collaboration between international volunteers and local medical professionals.

Arthroscopic Surgical and Training Mission in Nablus

Also, from October 23–30, PCRF organized an arthroscopic surgical and training mission at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, led by Dr. Tim Keenan.

A PCRF volunteer for more than 20 years, Dr. Keenan continued his longstanding commitment to the organization through a mission that combined specialized surgical care with training for local medical professionals.

The mission supported the continued development of local surgical expertise, contributing to the hospital’s capacity to provide specialized care.

Two Local Surgical Missions in Jenin

PCRF organized two local surgical missions at Jenin Hospital, providing ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care and hand surgery for children in the northern West Bank.

The ENT mission, held from October 11–15, was led by ENT surgeon Dr. Khaled Samour, alongside resident Dr. Adnan Rawajbeh and anesthesiologist Dr. Thafer Maali. The team screened 50 patients and performed 43 surgeries.

The hand surgery mission, held from October 18–22, brought together hand surgeon Dr. Jareer Albarri, resident surgeon Dr. Rashed Abu-Lubbadeh, and anesthesiologist Dr. Thafer Maali. The team screened 30 patients and performed 10 surgeries.

Together, the two missions completed 80 patient screenings and 53 surgeries, helping children receive timely specialized treatment and easing pressure on local surgical waiting lists.

Ongoing Commitment to Sustaining Access

Across the two maxillofacial and cleft surgery missions and the two local surgical missions, PCRF teams completed 210 patient screenings and 83 surgeries. The arthroscopic surgical and training mission added further specialized surgical support and opportunities for professional training.

Together, the five missions reflect PCRF’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to specialized care for children across the West Bank while supporting the healthcare professionals and hospitals serving their communities.