'I am not scared about the operation'

Dubai: The 50th floor of the Emirates Towers office building is literally a world away from the crowded streets of the West Bank city of Hebron. But, that is exactly where 13-year old Yousuf Halahla found himself yesterday afternoon, after travelling from Palestine to Dubai for medical treatment.

Yousuf suffers from congenital deformities in both legs and through the support of the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), has travelled with his mother, Kareema, via Jordan, to receive treatment at the International Modern Hospital in Dubai.

The surgery will take place on June 11, with Dr Marc Sinclair of the Dubai Bone and Joint Centre at the helm.

"Luckily his prognosis is good. We are also lucky he is at a really good age for this type of surgery," Dr Sinclair said.

Dr Sinclair, who specialises in limb deformities in children, indicated that Yousuf will most likely have to remain in Dubai for a period of at least three months.

"I am not at all scared about the operation," said Yousuf bravely, adding he hopes to learn more about computers and work on his English, during his stay.

"Inshallah, everything will be OK for my son. He has already been through so much and has had surgery before, but to no avail," said his mother, through the help of a PCRF volunteer translator.

Hailing from the Palestinian town of Hebron, Yousuf's family has borne the brunt of the unemployment crisis. His father has had to rely on sporadic amand permits to work in construction in Israel.

"My husband is sometimes given permission to work inside Israel, but only for one or two days, and then he is left without work for another twenty," said Kareema, a mother of five.

"It is difficult, but everyone is so happy that Yousuf has been given this opportunity."

After their appointment with Dr Sinclair, Yousuf and his mother went to Jumeirah beach, where he swam in the sea for the first time in his life. Due to widespread closures, Israel bars access to the beach for most Palestinians in the West Bank.