University lecturer's plea to bring 'critically ill' dad to Scotland from Gaza for urgent heart surgery

A Palestinian man living in Glasgow has launched a petition to bring his severely ill father to the UK for urgent heart surgery after he suffered a heart attack in Gaza.

University lecturer Dr Mohammed Alshurafa said the petition is his “only hope” of securing life‑saving treatment for his dad, Bahjat, 66.

He said doctors in Gaza have told the family they can no longer offer further treatment, with hospitals overwhelmed, medical staff killed or displaced and key equipment destroyed.

Mohammed said his dad was discharged from hospital due to a lack of beds and is now being treated at home with expired medication.

“He had to leave the hospital – 400 other people were waiting for his bed,” Mohammed told STV News.
“The doctor said, ‘There’s nothing we can do for him.’”

Bahjat is critically ill, with doctors warning that he could suffer another heart attack at any time.

Mohammed explains he requires surgery on his left anterior descending artery.

“At any moment I might get a call saying another heart attack happened and he didn’t survive,” Mohammed said.

“One artery is 100% closed, the other 60%. Doctors are wondering how he survived the first time.

“I can’t promise he will make it.”

The family have also endured profound personal loss since the war began, including the deaths of Bahjat’s brother, nephew and sister in air strikes and drone attacks.

“They found the bodies in pieces and buried them on the side of the road,” Mohammed said.

“A drone shot my cousin in the neck. He died immediately.”

Mohammed believes the trauma of bereavement and lack of medical care has taken its toll on his dad’s physical and mental health.

“My dad stopped talking to anyone. He is not the same as before. He and his brother were so close.”

Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital in ruins (EBU) — Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital in ruins (EBU) EBU

Despite a declared ceasefire, Gaza remains an active war zone. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, since the ceasefire was agreed in October, at least 765 Palestinians have been killed and more than 2,100 injured in Israeli strikes across the territory. UN agencies say the overall death toll has now surpassed 72,000 people since October 2023.

The humanitarian situation remains critical, with the UN warning that Gaza’s health system is close to collapse.

All hospitals in Gaza have been damaged, essential medicines are in short supply, and access to specialised treatment – including medical evacuations – remains severely limited, the UN says.

Mohammed said Gaza’s hospitals are no longer capable of carrying out complex or emergency cardiac procedures.

“Al‑Shifa Hospital is a graveyard,” he said.

“Most of the heart surgeons got killed or left. Most equipment and machines are destroyed.”

Mohammed says his childhood home was destroyed in air strikes STV News

“Important and critical surgery – it’s not happening at all.”

Mohammed has set up a fundraiser to support his family, who he says have lost their income amid displacement and mounting medical costs.

He said the minister for health had submitted an urgent evacuation referral for his dad, but added: “Going through official channels could take six or seven years.”

The family’s medical ordeal comes after months of repeated displacement. Since their home was destroyed in October, they have lived in tents, garages, rooftops and partially destroyed buildings.

Mohammed said his parents and younger brother are currently sheltering in a damaged flat with no electricity, running water, kitchen or proper sanitation.

“They live in a half flat, half a toilet,” he said. “No kitchen, no beds, no electricity, no lights.”

Mohammed said he is the only immediate family member outside Gaza and acts as the family’s main advocate and source of financial support.

Mohammed's cousin and uncle were killed — Mohammed’s cousin and uncle were killed STV News

He has contacted a number of media outlets and his local MP to seek help.

“The petition is my only hope,” he said.

“They keep asking how many signatures we have – what do we do next?”

Mohammed said he is not seeking permanent relocation for his dad.

“I just want him to come to Scotland, do urgent surgery, make sure he’s fine and then he’ll go back,” he said.
“I’m not asking for him to stay here.”

An FCDO spokesperson said: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic.

“That is why we continue to call on Israel to immediately lift restrictions and allow food, medical supplies and fuel to reach those in desperate need.

“Aid must also be allowed to flow at scale through all crossings to address the severe humanitarian needs in Gaza and avoid reversing progress made since the ceasefire.”

The petition can be found on Change.org. The fundraiser is hosted on GoFundMe.