KUALA LUMPUR: Mercy Malaysia will seek partnerships with private bodies and hospitals in the United Kingdom (UK) to facilitate the entry of aid into Gaza.

"Being British, they have better chance of access into Gaza through Israel, that is the logic behind the partnerships," Mercy Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus told a news conference, here today.

He said Mercy Malaysia had engaged in similar cooperations with a few bodies and hospitals in the UK during the conflict in Lebanon in 2006.

He said Mercy Malaysia could not channel aid fund effectively following the restrictions by the Israelis.

Out of the RM10.84 million collected under the Mercy Malaysia's Gaza Relief Fund, a total of RM4.48 million had been spent as of May 31 this year, he said.

Ahmad Faizal said Mercy Malaysia had donated several ambulances including for Mohamed bin Rashed Al Maktoum Hospital, the Patient's Friends Benevolent Society and Al-Jazeera Sports Club for the Disabled.

It had also donated medical and surgical equipment to El Hilal El Emirati Tal Sultan Hospital, Khan Younis and Annassir Hospital.

Ahmad Faizal said Mercy Malaysia had helped in setting up the Al-Amal Centre for Care and Psychological Consultation following the signing of a memorandum of agreement with Emaar Society in June last year.

"In this particular programme our psychologists and psychiatrists from Malaysia initially help to give inputs through a long distance relationship since the restriction by Israel.

Source: BERNAMA