AMMAN, 10 January 2008 (IRIN) - The Israeli restrictions on the movement of people and goods in and out of the Gaza Strip, which has severely affected the health sector, has forced many patients to seek treatment outside the coastal enclave.

The first batch of ailing Gazans since Hamas took over in the Gaza Strip arrived in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on 3 January in a bid to get proper medical treatment and possible life-saving surgery.

The group of 13 includes the elderly and women. As a good will gesture they will be treated free of charge by the Jordanian government, said Hashem Abdullat of the King Hussein Medical Centre where the patients will be hosted.

"We will be conducting all the necessary tests before deciding on surgery, which could include kidney transplants or open heart surgery," said Abdullat.

The patients set to benefit from the Jordanian initiative suffer from heart disease, nervous system disorders, kidney problems or digestive system diseases, he said.

Ibrahim Munther, a 19-year-old university student, is among those who crossed the Israeli border in the hope of a new life free of health troubles. He has a heart condition and epilepsy symptoms that have prevented him from continuing his university studies.

Doctors at Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest in Gaza, said they could not help the young man as he needed heart surgery, and the hospital lacked the equipment required to carry out the operation.

"I am glad to be here for treatment, but there are thousands who are unable to make it to Jordan and die quietly in their beds due to lack of medicine," said the pale-looking young man.

Doctors at Al-Shifah hospital said their ability to deliver quality care to emergency cases or chronically ill patients had been compromised by Israel which is only allowing in limited supplies of medicine and equipment.

Other patients from Gaza are also expected to be allowed to travel to Jordan once they have obtained the necessary security clearances issued by the Israeli government, said an official from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs who requested anonymity.

The restrictions on the movement of goods and people imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip has led to a shortage of food, causing a deterioration in humanitarian conditions in the densely populated enclave.

A reduction in the amount of fuel Israel will allow into Gaza has aggravated the situation, affecting hospitals' ability to function properly. According to the UN Organisation for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the amount of diesel that reached Gaza in November was less than half the amount needed.

Gaza hospitals are also financially strapped because Israel has been withholding millions of dollars in tax collected for the Palestinian Authority (PA). At the same time international donors have restricted aid to PA-run areas in the West Bank.

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