Qatari support for the health sector in Gaza is a model to be emulated.

Gaza, August 5 (QNA) - A Palestinian government official in the Gaza Strip affirmed that Qatar's support for the health sector in Gaza, during the ongoing Israeli aggression for nearly two years, represents a model to be emulated in effective practical solidarity with the Palestinian people, and is highly praised and appreciated by all components of Palestinian society in the Gaza Strip. In a statement to the Qatar News Agency, Dr. Ismail Al-Thawabta, Director General of the Government Media Office, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the State of Qatar for its noble and tireless humanitarian efforts in supporting the Palestinian people amid the catastrophic circumstances imposed by the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, and the tragic conditions Palestinians are experiencing on all levels due to the ongoing blockade and aggression. He explained that the initiative to establish a first aid station at His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, with funding from the Qatar Development Fund, comes at a critical time, as the northern Gaza Strip faces severely deteriorating health and field conditions due to the Israeli occupation's policy of systematically targeting hospitals and medical facilities, starving civilians, and preventing the entry of vital supplies. He added that this advanced medical point represents a rapid response to meet the urgent need for first aid and treatment for hundreds of injured civilians waiting for aid, who were targeted by the occupation forces while trying to obtain food at the aid distribution point in the northern Gaza Strip. He added that it contributed to providing emergency services and treatment to hundreds of people daily, in an honorable humanitarian manner that reflects the authentic Arab values and the firm moral stances of the State of Qatar. The Qatar Fund for Development announced in a statement yesterday that the State of Qatar has established a first aid point at His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics in Gaza. The facility, funded by the Fund, will treat emergency cases in northern Gaza and injured people awaiting aid. The statement explained that the medical point is receiving hundreds of patients, and that it is working to respond quickly to the wounded, providing them with the necessary medical care, and transferring some cases to Ministry of Health hospitals in Gaza and other hospitals via ambulances affiliated with the Ministry of Health, the Palestinian Red Crescent, and the Medical Services. The Director General of the Government Media Office praised the call made by Fahad bin Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development, in which he called on the international community to take immediate action to halt crimes against civilians, open the crossings, and allow the unfettered entry of aid. He said his call clearly expresses the spirit of moral and humanitarian responsibility toward Gaza. He stressed that this Qatari initiative, along with other commendable medical and relief efforts, represents a model to be emulated in effective practical solidarity and has been greatly praised and appreciated by all components of Palestinian society in the Gaza Strip. He explained that Qatar's continued support for the health sector in Gaza, since before the aggression and throughout the ongoing genocidal war, has been a major lifeline in light of the complete collapse of health facilities. The State of Qatar has emerged as a leading supporter by providing medical equipment, medicines, hospital support, and care for the wounded, reflecting a firm commitment to the rights of the Palestinian people, especially in the darkest and most difficult circumstances. He explained that the State of Qatar is supervising a number of vital health projects in the Gaza Strip, most notably the His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, which is an advanced specialized center that provides rehabilitation services, prosthetics, balance and hearing aids, and computed tomography (CT) scanning, and is the only one of its kind. He pointed out that Qatar supported the field hospital project, provided numerous ambulances and modern medical equipment, and contributed to strengthening the capabilities of local personnel, in a manner that reflects a comprehensive strategic humanitarian development vision. He stressed that the health system in the Gaza Strip is suffering from a near-total collapse due to the direct targeting of hospitals and medical personnel, the prevention of the entry of medicines and supplies, and the power and water outages. This has led to 38 hospitals and dozens of health centers being put out of service, surgical operations being halted, and stocks of essential medicines and treatments running out. He said that medical personnel are suffering inhumane conditions while carrying out their duties, amid a severe shortage of personnel, equipment, and fuel needed to operate vital equipment. During its ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip, the occupying forces continue to target the Strip's health system by destroying hospitals and health clinics, putting them out of service, and targeting medical personnel, Ministry of Health cadres, and hospital directors with arrest, murder, or assassination. The Gaza Strip is experiencing a humanitarian crisis that has reached a state of complete collapse, according to assessments and reports from UN and international organizations. Since the beginning of March, Israel has imposed a blockade and a tight closure on all crossings into the Strip, preventing the entry of food and medical aid. This has led to a shortage of basic food supplies in the markets, the closure of charitable kitchens and charities, and the halting of aid distribution from local and international organizations. The good news is that the thermal radiation generated by a microwave remains contained within the appliance. This keeps the exterior parts — such as the door and handles — cool and free from the excess heat commonly found in conventional ovens and toaster ovens. Simply put, microwave cooking does not affect the nutritional value of meals. Just like traditional cooking methods, any changes in food heated in a microwave result from the release of thermal energy — what we commonly refer to as heat. Foods such as partially cooked rice and steamed vegetables are prepared and packaged using methods that preserve their nutrients, making them ideal choices for microwave cooking. While popcorn, leftover pizza, and ready-made dinners are common uses for the microwave, this versatile and convenient appliance adds much more to our diets than we might realize. For example, vegetables are flash-frozen at the peak of freshness, then immediately sealed in microwave-safe packaging to preserve their nutrients and crisp texture. Similarly, staple foods like rice and legumes cook excellently in the microwave and can serve as the foundation for a wide variety of meals. In addition, rice-based products specifically designed for microwave cooking are also available. On the other hand, microwave ovens also make it easier to maintain healthy eating habits. With a little meal planning, you can prepare nutritious meals in advance, freeze them, and then let the microwave do its job: reheating food quickly and easily. As with any cooking method, timing and technique are essential to preserving the texture and moisture of your food. Standard microwaves offer a wide range of preset modes and power levels to help achieve optimal results. Furthermore, adding a small amount of water to your dish or covering your meal with a damp paper towel can help prevent foods that tend to dry out from becoming overcooked. We may not recommend placing a raw turkey on the turntable, but that doesn’t mean microwave-cooked food can’t achieve consistent texture and even temperature. Although pre-packaged microwave meals are designed to cook evenly with minimal effort, we actually have more control than we might think over how the microwave heats the food we prepare ourselves. For instance, try using ceramic or glass containers — they distribute heat more evenly than plastic. Arrange food in a uniform layer so that the depth is roughly equal from one end to the other. Placing a damp paper towel over the food can also help absorb and distribute heat more evenly. In my personal opinion as an editor, most of us cannot do without the microwave due to its ease of use and speed in heating food. However, we must always be aware of which types of food are safe to place inside!