Ayman Abu Al-Ouf

Leading physician in the Gaza Strip. Born Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany, on Aug 19, 1971, he was killed by an air raid City, Strip, occupied Palestinian territory, May 16, 2021, aged 49 years. In 2020, addition to his role as Head of Department Internal Medicine at Al-Shifa Hospital, largest hospital Ayman Al-Ouf took a further responsibility clinician charge its COVID-19 unit. Already contending with impacts more than decade Israeli Government's blockade Hospital faced constant shortages. Osaid Alser, postdoctoral research fellow trauma, emergency surgery, and surgical critical care Massachusetts General Harvard Medical School, USA, studied under Al-Ouf. As Alser discovered recent return visit made working conditions even harder—there were not always sufficient supplies personal protective equipment stocks some essential medications low. Then came bombing. “He’d finished long shift unit”, says Alser. “He went back home, about 30 minutes later neighbourhood targeted.” all but one extended family killed. where father academic, medicine Slovakia's Comenius University Bratislava, graduated 1997, moved Jordan train internal Amman's King Hussein Center. He European became head medicine. It 2016 that joined Hospital. Israa Saleh, teaching assistant Faculty Gaza's Al-Azhar University, struggles convey sense loss she feels Al-Ouf's death. worked 24/7 passion energy”, says, going speak her mentor's commitment patients. determined, kind hearted, loyal…He had no private clinic, would work until late, only other hospitals Strip.” comments, doing is unusual pay public sector generally most dedicated doctor I have ever with”, student Islamic 2013–16, subsequently spent year for him recalls how, after ward rounds, make point discussing cases students juniors. meticulous…a perfectionist matter patient care. And used explain everything patients…I learned from how talk patients language they understand.” Saleh speaks clinical acumen. known diagnosing difficult cases”, says. “A good person.” survived 15-year-old son, Omar.