Supporting Palestinian Junior Doctors in 2025
In 2025, The Hanoon Foundation remains committed to supporting Palestinian medical graduates by covering the costs of clinical attachments, observerships, and the PLAB 2 exam. The PLAB 2, which costs £981, is a key Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment for internationally trained doctors seeking to practise in the UK. By alleviating the financial burden of both the exam and essential clinical training opportunities, The Hanoon Foundation helps Palestinian doctors progress in their careers and overcome significant professional challenges.
This project is funded by The Galilee Foundation.
In 2024, we supported eight junior doctors from Palestine in advancing their careers. In 2025, we aim to expand this effort and support even more graduates in need.
To hear directly from those we’ve supported, please read their testimonials below.
Testimonials:
Testimonial 1
“I am a medical graduate from Gaza. Due to the war, I had to evacuate to Egypt, facing financial difficulties while pursuing my goal of becoming a licensed doctor in the UK. I applied for financial aid from The Hanoon Foundation to help cover the costs of my PLAB 2 exams, which are crucial steps in my career. Receiving this support has been life-changing, allowing me to stay on track with my medical journey despite the challenges. It has given me hope and the opportunity to continue striving for my dream of making a difference in healthcare.”
Haneen
Testimonial 2
“I graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza in 2022 and completed my internship in 2023, embarking on a determined journey toward a British fellowship in urology. My passion for medicine has driven me to overcome numerous obstacles. After successfully passing the Palestinian board selection exam, I discovered that no positions were available, leaving me at a crossroads in my career. I began preparing for my journey to the UK. At the same time, the devastating war of October 2023 in Gaza forced me to relocate repeatedly for safety, stripping away essential resources such as electricity and internet—critical tools needed for my OET exam, which ultimately led to its cancellation.
In April 2024, determined to continue my path despite these setbacks, I moved to Egypt. There, I seized new opportunities, successfully completing the OET and PLAB 1 exams, and securing an appointment for PLAB 2. This move marked the beginning of a new chapter—one that was not only about academic progress but also about rebuilding a life shattered by conflict and personal loss.
Amid these challenges and the overwhelming financial hardship my family and I faced, the timely support from The Hanoon Foundation became a beacon of hope. I am profoundly grateful for the Foundation’s generosity. Their support has alleviated my financial burdens and reignited my determination to excel in my field. It has empowered me to continue my education and training with renewed vigor, paving the way for me to build a brighter future. I remain committed to honoring their belief in my potential by striving for excellence and contributing meaningfully to the medical community.
Thank you for helping me make my dream come true during one of its most pivotal moments.”
Mohammed
Testimonial 3
“I am deeply grateful for this financial support, which has come as a beacon of hope in these dark times. My name is Tahani, and I am a first-generation medical doctor, graduated from the Islamic University. I have dedicated myself to serving my community, volunteering as an emergency doctor throughout the war to support those in need. This scholarship has alleviated a significant financial burden and enabled me to focus on my education and professional growth. It has allowed me to continue my journey without the overwhelming worry of financial constraints. Thank you for all of your support.”
Tahani
Testimonial 4
“I am a 29-year-old Palestinian doctor. I worked as an emergency doctor during the ongoing circumstances in Hebron and later became a primary care doctor at a medical centre. I successfully passed the PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 exams. Currently, I am working with the NHS and preparing for the MRCS exam. The support I received from The Hanoon Foundation has been invaluable in helping me complete my journey.”
Odai
Testimonial 5
“Hanan is a physician who obtained her medical degree from the Islamic University of Gaza and holds an MPhil from Cambridge University. She has passed the PLAB 1 exam and is preparing for the PLAB 2 exam, for which the financial aid was intended to cover the cost. This support will help her achieve her goal of becoming a General Medical Council registered doctor in the UK and resuming clinical practice.”
Hanan
Testimonial 6
“My name is Mohammed, a medical graduate from Gaza. I am working towards becoming a licensed doctor in the UK, and recently booked the PLAB 2 exam which is a vital step in that journey. Given my financial situation, including relying only on my father who has been out of work for two years, I was struggling to cover the remaining costs of this process after already spending a lot on study materials and exam fees. Receiving this financial support from The Hanoon Foundation has given a huge relief. It has allowed me to stay focused on my preparation and move forward with confidence. I’m truly grateful for this help, which brings me closer to achieving my dream of practicing medicine and giving back to those in need.”
Mohammed
Testimonial 7
“I am a medical doctor from Gaza and currently hold full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK. I recently completed a 6-week clinical attachment in the General Medicine department at a UK hospital. This experience has been incredibly valuable in helping me gain a deeper understanding of the NHS system, its structure, and how multidisciplinary teams work together to deliver high-quality patient care. I am truly grateful to the Hanoon Foundation for their support, which has played a vital role in helping me pursue this opportunity and further my career in the UK. Their contribution has made a meaningful difference, and I deeply appreciate their ongoing commitment to supporting doctors like myself.
Mohammed
Sincerely”,
Testimonial 8
“My name is Marah, a Palestinian medical doctor from Gaza, and I graduated from Al-Quds University (Al-Azhar Branch). I am extremely grateful to Hanoon Foundation for the financial support that has allowed me to pursue my dreams despite the challenges I have faced. Due to the war in Gaza, I went through a very difficult financial situation. The financial aid I received from Hanoon Foundation, which covered my PLAB 2 exam fees, was essential in enabling me to continue my professional development and take the necessary steps toward securing my future. Receiving this support has had a significant positive impact on my career. It helped me successfully achieve my GMC registration and obtain a license to practice medicine in the UK. This opportunity has opened new doors for me and has given me a sense of hope for a better future. I am deeply thankful for the assistance provided by your organization, and I hope this testimonial helps demonstrate the profound difference your program is making in the lives of individuals like me.
Kind regards,”
Marah
Testimonial 9
“My name is Bissane, a medical graduate from Gaza, currently pursuing my goal of becoming an Internal Medicine doctor in the UK. After completing my medical degree and internship—part of which I finished during a difficult period of displacement—I began preparing for the PLAB exams, which are essential steps for international medical graduates seeking to practice in the UK. Coming from a region affected by ongoing conflict and limited economic opportunities, the financial burden of exam fees, travel, and accommodation presented a significant challenge for me. I applied for financial aid from the Hanoon Foundation because I knew that without support, continuing my journey would be incredibly difficult, if not impossible. Receiving this generous support from the Hanoon Foundation has had a truly transformative impact on both my personal and professional life. It not only eased a heavy financial burden but also gave me a renewed sense of hope, motivation, and encouragement. It reminded me that there are people and organizations that believe in the potential of young professionals from underserved communities.
Thanks to the Hanoon Foundation, I have been able to stay focused on my preparation for PLAB 2 and remain committed to my dream of building a medical career that allows me to serve patients with dedication and compassion—both in the UK and, one day, in Gaza. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and will carry the spirit of this support with me throughout my journey. “
Bissane
Testimonial 10
“My name is Khaled, a medical doctor from Palestine. I was a cardiology resident at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, where I completed two years of training. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing war, I was displaced from Gaza to Egypt. This forced me to interrupt my residency and seek alternave routes to connue my postgraduate medical educaon. I decided to pursue the UK medical pathway through the Royal College of Surgeons to obtain GMC registration.
I successfully passed the OET exam with a grade B in all subtests. I am grateful to The Hanoon Foundation for reimbursing the exam fees, which enabled me to register for the MRCS examinations. I passed MRCS Part A, and I am scheduled to sit for the Part B (OSCE) on May 20. I have come to the UK to take the OSCE exam and to gain further clinical experience through attachments. I recently completed an eight-week clinical aachment in the Department of General Medicine at Leicester Royal Infirmary. This experience has significantly broadened my clinical knowledge, enhanced my communicaon and clinical reasoning skills, and deepened my understanding of the NHS system.
Working in a new environment, beyond my comfort zone, has allowed me to collaborate professionally with consultants and NHS staff. These interactions have greatly improved my ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.I firmly believe that UK-based training will equip me with the skills and experience necessary to make a meaningful impact in Gaza. My long-term goal is to return and contribute to the healthcare system by treating patients and supporting the training of junior doctors, helping to alleviate the devastang effects of the war.
During my clinical attachment, I was actively involved in patient care, including case presentations and discussing management plans with consultants. I also delivered a lecture to my colleagues and consultants in the department, and I am planning to participate in a clinical audit. Furthermore, I have secured another four-week clinical attachment. Your support would be invaluable in helping me cover living and exam-related expenses during my stay in the UK. “
Khaled
Testimonial 12
“During my attachment, I conducted a short audit to assess patient satisfaction with the surgical consent process. The audit involved:
– Designing a questionnaire focused on patients’ understanding of the procedure, associated risks, and whether they were given enough time to ask questions.
– Collecting and analysing responses from preoperative patients.
– Identifying areas of improvement in communication and documentation.
– Sharing findings with the relevant department as part of their ongoing quality improvement efforts.
I delivered a teaching session for medical students, junior doctors and consultants on the diagnosis, clinical features, and management of decompensated liver disease. The session was interactive and included case-based discussion. It helped reinforce my own knowledge and improve my teaching skills. “
Ehab
Testimonial 13
“I undertook a six-week clinical attachment in the Department of General Medicine at Leicester Royal Infirmary, which provided me with valuable clinical experience and a comprehensive introduction to the structure and culture of the NHS. Throughout the attachment, I participated in daily ward rounds where I observed and assisted in patient assessments, case discussions, and care planning. I developed my ability to present clinical cases clearly and concisely to consultants and specialists, and gained confidence in patient communication, history-taking, and physical examination. Under close supervision, I performed a variety of clinical procedures, which helped improve my practical skills. I also contributed to formulating differential diagnoses and management plans, working closely with the supervising consultant.
The attachment offered me significant exposure to the NHS system, including its electronic health record systems, referral pathways, and team-based approach to patient care. I became more familiar with the roles of various healthcare professionals and learned the importance of effective communication and collaboration in a multidisciplinary environment. In addition to clinical duties, I attended weekly scientific meetings that enhanced my understanding of evidence-based medicine and current practices in internal medicine. This experience also allowed me to observe the values and patient-centered culture that are central to the NHS. “
Bashar
Testimonial 14
My name is Noor, a Palestinian intern doctor aspiring to continue my medical training in the UK. I am truly grateful to the Hanoon Foundation for their generous support during this difficult time. As doctors in Palestine, we currently do not receive any regular salaries, in addition to the challenging economic conditions in the country overall, which have made it nearly impossible for me to afford the high costs of the PLAB 2 exam. Their support has had a significant impact and has enabled me to continue my journey toward GMC registration. I am truly grateful for their continued dedication to helping doctors like me. In the future, when I am able to secure a job and earn an income, I will donate to the foundation to help ensure the continued support of future doctors.
Thank you for everything.
Noor
Testimonial 15
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support in covering the financial costs of my PLAB 2 exam, as well as your earlier assistance with my OET fees. Your continued help has been a turning point in my journey toward becoming a doctor in the UK. Becoming a doctor has always been my dream, not just for personal achievement but to serve and help the people of Gaza, my home. Before the war, I was about to start my residency in the oncology department—something I had worked extremely hard to reach. Unfortunately, due to the escalation of the conflict, I was forced to flee to Egypt with my family after we lost everything. Despite the hardships, I remained determined to pursue my medical career. I began preparing for the UK medical pathway, but saving for the various exam fees while also supporting my family proved incredibly challenging. I took on work with a local organisation in Egypt, which helped me save enough for part of the costs. However, it was still not enough to cover everything.
I came across a post about the Hanoon Foundation’s work in supporting displaced doctors, and I applied. Your organisation helped me first with my OET fees, allowing me to take the initial steps forward. And now, your assistance with my PLAB 2 exam fees, including support for my accommodation and travel to the UK, has made it possible for me to continue this journey. Your support means more than financial aid—it is a lifeline, a reminder that there are people who believe in us and are willing to stand by us in the most difficult of times.
Thank you for believing in me, and thank you for giving me hope. I will carry your kindness with me as I work toward serving others through medicine.
With sincere appreciation.”
Suheir
Testimonial 16
“First of all, Hanoon Foundation helped me from the beginning of my journey to do my PLAB exams. Now, due to the support for the PLAB 2 exam, I am able to apply for an academy to get on-ground training to simulate the exam cases. As well as being part of this support i will use it as life expenses during the period before the exam all of this helped me to relax and focus on my studies. I am thankful for the Hanoon organisation.”
Said
Testimonial 17
“This is a personal and genuine message of gratitude to the Hanoon Foundation for their kindness and generosity. As a doctor who left the Gaza Strip under fire and endured a long and difficult journey to reach the UK in the hope of building a better life for myself and my family, their support has meant so much to me. The help I received has lifted a heavy burden and allowed me to focus fully on preparing for the PLAB examination and pursuing my career as a doctor. Their willingness to stand with their fellow Palestinians in times of need is deeply inspiring, and I will always remember the solidarity they showed me.”
Abdelrahman