The next visit was to BASR (Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation) which began in an old house in Bethlehem in 1960. Over the years it has grown and by 1990 the present hospital was constructed. BASR is a non-profit, non- government organisation, recognised nationally for the medical and rehabilitation services it offers irrespective of gender, age, religion or social class. Intensive residential treatment and care is given, usually over a 3-6 month period, to those with serious injuries or disabilities – people whether they have been shot, tortured, in accidents or born with disabilities are taken in and their belief that “Every Patient is First and Foremost a Human Being” is evident from the mix of people we encountered. Their stories cover the walls of some of the meeting rooms – “I was shot in the arms, legs and back and am paralysed …” “I was tortured by soldiers and my back was broken …” “I had a stroke …” “I was in an accident …”
It also has an amazing ward for the rehabilitation of children. The children have neurological problems as the result of cerebral palsy, road traffic accidents, congenital and, unfortunately, also inflicted trauma. The focus is on short term rehabilitation with physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. It also continues the rehabilitation in the community where physiotherapists do home visits and try and teach the parents and families how to continue therapies. Many staff are themselves disabled and a witness to the children and mothers that disability need not mean a lifetime of dependence.
When I say this is a non-profit organization, I mean just that, it depends on funding and is currently struggling to make its budgets. They have to get their medicines and supplies through agents from Israel and are paying well over the odds. Some staff are currently having to work without pay. What this area would do without this facility doesn’t bear thinking about. It’s here at the moment, but it is not always easily accessible even though it is well established and recognised, nor is it able to offer the kind of care we would expect as routine – if someone needs a blood transfusion, then a relative will need to drive to Hebron (through checkpoints) which on a good day is about 30 minutes away and on a bad day can be more than 3 hours of waiting at a check point to get to Hebron and then to bring the blood back.
Oh, and that Wall gets closer!
BASR’s mission is simply humanitarian and aims at promoting reconciliation, love and peace among people of different religions and backgrounds. All good as far as I can see. No ulterior motive. So why is it penalised and why can’t it be recognised for what it is – a hospital helping people?
