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Gaza Hospital Performs Strip's First Transplant

Al-Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip has performed the territory's first-ever transplant, courtesy of international assistance, Rami Almeghari reports.
French surgeon Christopher Bulstrode (2nd L) operates on a Palestinian patient as he trains Palestinian doctors in surgical procedures at the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip December 15, 2009. Bulstrode arrived in Gaza on Monday for a one-week training session, aiming at upgrading the knowledge of orthopedic surgeons from Gaza in the field of war and trauma orthopedic medicine. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA - Tags: HEALTH) - RTXRV42

Nadia Ma'touq, 36, and her husband Ziad Ma'touq, 43, are both recovering at the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza after a seven-hour surgery for a kidney transplant. It is the first such transplant ever conducted in Gaza, and one that saved the life of Ziad, father of six children.

"Ziad suffered from a kidney complication six years ago, after he was hit with high blood pressure. Fifteen years ago, we discovered that Ziad had only one kidney. Throughout this time, he has been very cautious with regard to the type of food and drink, but his remaining kidney began to feel the negative effects of the blood pressure," Nadia told Al-Monitor, while surrounded by her mother-in-law and brother at the hospital.

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