Little Eliaa’ suffered from a severe infection while her parents, Ruba and Majd, struggled with the daily challenges in Bethlehem – burdens that had become part of their everyday lives. At Caritas Baby Hospital, they found the specialized help that saved their daughter from worse.
“In the high season, we used to cater for several tourist groups every day at our hotel. The kitchen was really busy. But because of the extra shifts, I also earned a better wage as a cook”. The time Majd Abu Akar is talking about is now almost five years in the past. First, the coronavirus pandemic brought tourism in Bethlehem to a standstill, then the war in Gaza kept visitors away.
Ruba Abu Akar, a police officer, only enjoys job security at first glance. "My salary is by no means guaranteed", she says. "The government can't always pay us". The young family, whose roots lie in the Bethlehem refugee camps of Dheisheh and Aida, depends on outside support.
Looking for Help
Almost two years ago, Eliaa’, the Abu Akars' second daughter, was born. They were overjoyed with the new addition to their family. The first few months of her life went smoothly. But when Eliaa’ was about a year and a half old, she suddenly developed a high, persistent fever. Her parents were alarmed and initially found no helpful medical support. Meanwhile, the fever continued to rise.
Finally, they took their daughter to Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem. Dr. Saliba Ghneim diagnosed pneumonia in her right lung, and further tests confirmed the suspicion of a lung abscess. "Everyone was already talking about Eliaa’ needing surgery. With general anesthesia and everything", Ruba recalls. After ten days without any significant improvement, that was precisely the decision they were facing.
The Right Decision at the Right Time
Many hospitals would have referred Eliaa’ to surgery at that moment. But the experienced team at Caritas Baby Hospital consciously chose a cautious approach. Dr. Saliba Ghneim sought advice from specialists in infectious diseases, hematology, and thoracic surgery at other institutions to make the best possible decision for Eliaa’. He then optimized her medication regimen and ensured the little girl was closely monitored - always with the goal of avoiding a stressful procedure.
The decision proved to be the right one. A few days later, the fever subsided, Eliaa’ regained strength, and the inflammation continued to recede. Majd later said: "We don't know what would have happened otherwise. How our daughter would have survived the operation, and whether we could even have afforded it”.
Eliaa's recovery without intervention is the result of a precise medical assessment and continuous monitoring. The fact that the Caritas Baby Hospital's social services covered some of the costs also provided significant relief for the family - a combination that helped Eliaa’ in time.
