TEL AVIV, December 22, 2005 (WAFA) - Physicians for Human Rights-Israel and World Health Organization (WHO) West Bank and Gaza released the publication Breast cancer in the Gaza Strip: the struggle for survival of Fatma Bargouth.

Fatma Bargouth died of breast cancer one year ago, the 24 December 2004, at the age of 29. Her story is similar to the stories of hundreds of other individuals who have had the misfortune to be affected by cancer in places like Gaza.

The daily difficulties (well documented by PHR-Israel) which she had to face in order to fight against her illness are indicative of the social suffering and deterioration of quality of life of the general Palestinian population, especially over the past five years, says the report.

"Fatma's story tell us several things. First, the health system in the Gaza Strip in particular - and in the OPT in general - is not able to properly address the oncological problems although cancer with other non-communicable diseases are now the main causes of death of Palestinian people," it adds.

The reports says lack of appropriate quality of care, lack of expertise and adequate equipment, and an unsatisfactory physician/patient's relationship are clear from this story.

As a result of these problems, the Palestinian health system needs to refer many cancer patients to services abroad, it points out.

This referral abroad - outside of Gaza or the West Bank - to Israel (and also to Jordan and Egypt) is extremely complex and problematic, due to the strict inhuman regime of closures and cumbersome mechanisms of permits.

In spite of the encouraging role played by a few institutions and individuals and, especially by the strong determination and character shown by Fatma to fight against her tumor and the horrific context, the story highlights the lack of basic rights, the lack of competence, and the lack of compassion inherent to the current socio-political situation, the report concludes.

A.D. (22:53 P) (20:53 GMT)