Mohammed Taluli from Gaza has suffered for over 10 years from epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV), a rare skin disorder characterised by eruptions of wart-like lesions. EV is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder, which means that 2 abnormal EV genes (one from each parent) are needed to have the disease.
Thanks to a team of medical experts at Hadassah University Medical Center in Israel, 42 year old Mohammed is completely healed! The doctors discovered a ground-breaking method of dealing with this debilitating disorder that has plagued him for years. They removed skin from his affected hands, millimeter by millimeter and grafted healthy skin in its place. The new tissue has prevented the return of EV and given Mohammed a new life.
“I’ve suffered for 10 years. After years of shame and loneliness, unable to work or show myself to anyone, I finally have the chance to have a normal life,” Taluli said.
Dr. Michael Chernofsky, Chief Surgeon, explained that, “As well as the pain caused, the disease is very dangerous as it can very easily develop into (skin) cancer.” He added that, “The patient could no longer move his hand. He kept his hand covered all the time and lived a horrible life.”
The news that Israel has discovered a solution to such a serious disease and has used it to restore the life of a Palestinian, has gone completely unnoticed by the media.
Louise Carter
