Dr. Ahmed and Dr. Iman
Dr. Ahmed is the doctor with whom this initiative began. He works as a physician in the emergency department of the remaining hospitals in Gaza. His wife, Dr. Imam, is also a doctor and is training to become a general practitioner. Zijn vrouw Dr. Imam is ook arts en doet de specialisatie tot huisarts.
Dr. Ahmed:
“My dream of becoming a doctor began when I broke my left elbow at the age of ten. I needed surgery to fix the fracture, and I witnessed how the doctors restored my joint to its original state before the accident. Excelling in my studies from a young age, I grew to love the idea of being that doctor who eases people’s pain, comforts them, and heals them.
I wanted to study medicine because, since childhood, I saw human suffering as a call for compassion, and illness as an opportunity to give. It was never just about wearing the white coat or carrying the title “Doctor” it was a genuine passion to understand the human being in their most vulnerable state and to accompany them on the journey of healing. I’ve always believed that medicine is not just a science, but an art: the art of communication, the art of listening, and the art of alleviating pain.
I aspire to be that bridge between pain and hope, between diagnosis and treatment, between fear and reassurance. Nothing compares to the moment a patient sees light after the darkness of illness or smiles after days of suffering. Those moments are my fuel they’re what make me wake up every morning with unwavering passion.”
Dr. Iman:
” I used to be a playful and adventurous child. But by the time I turned 15, my personality started to become more rational and calm.
I used to enjoy watching specific TV programs, like the famous cooking show *Top Chef*, *Jowel Mardinian’s* fashion and beauty show, and most importantly, *The Doctors*. That last one was the beginning of my love for medicine. It was fun, filled with visuals and informative videos. Even though I didn’t fully understand many of the medical topics, it sparked my interest in human medicine.
When high school came, I set a clear goal: to get a high grade that would allow me to enter medical school. I dedicated all my time to achieving this — and I did it. I scored 98.3%, which was more than enough to enter medical school comfortably. Once I joined, my love for medicine grew even more. I was always passionate about learning and gaining knowledge.
One day, when I was 12, my little sister (who was six at the time) complained of abdominal pain that lasted two days. We thought it was just a cold or something mild. But when her condition worsened, my father took her to the doctor. It turned out to be appendicitis — and it had already ruptured. She needed emergency surgery.
Thank God, the surgery was successful and she recovered. That incident was a turning point for me. I decided then and there: I have to become a doctor. So I can save lives — and maybe save my family if they ever face something similar.
Today, I’m specializing in Family Medicine in my first year. I draw strength from the people, and especially from the Dutch community who stood by us through the hardest times. We will remember that support for the rest of our lives and tell our children about it.“