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Obituaries

Nael Shihabi: UK trained cardiothoracic surgeon who founded Palestine’s first medical school

BMJ 2023; 380 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.p76 (Published 12 January 2023) Cite this as: BMJ 2023;380:p76
  1. John Illman
  1. London, UK
  1. john{at}jicmedia.org

After 10 years in the UK, Nael Shihabi was looking forward to what should have been a glittering career as a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon. He was passionately committed to the NHS, which he saw as a triumph for the socialist ideal that treatment should be free at the point of use. But when his father died in 1973, making him the new head of his family, he felt duty bound to return home to Amman.

Leaving the NHS was the biggest regret of his life, but his sacrifice became Palestine’s immense gain. After helping to develop Jordan’s first medical school in Amman (established in 1971), he founded the first Palestinian medical school in Jerusalem in 1994. He was also one of the driving forces behind the formation of the Palestinian General Medical Council in 1998.

Colin Green, emeritus professor of surgical science, University College, London, said, “Nael showed that with decent teaching, Palestinian medical students could rival any in the world.

“There are now five campuses in the West Bank and two in Gaza, with some 2500 medical students. This has all been done in two decades thanks to Nael Shihabi. It would not have happened without him.”

Shihabi’s achievements were attributed to his tenacity, determination, courage, vision, …

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