Princess Dina Mired – Cancer Patients in Gaza Face a Double War

Geneva, September 18, 2024 — “Cancer patients in Gaza face a double war,” said Princess Dina Mired, a global health advocate and former president of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), during an emotional speech at the World Cancer Congress. “They fear the bombs outside, but also the cancer inside their bodies. The mental strain is unimaginable.”

Princess Dina Mired, a long-time humanitarian and health activist, has dedicated her life to supporting vulnerable communities, especially those caught in conflict zones. As a passionate leader in global health, she has been a vocal advocate for cancer care in crisis regions, pushing for international efforts to protect the most vulnerable.

Princess Dina Mired talk at UICC’s World Cancer Congress, 2024

Her words highlighted the disastrous situation for more than 10,000 cancer patients in Gaza, where hospitals have been destroyed and life-saving treatment is no longer available.

“Doctors are left with nothing. They’re forced to disinfect wounds with vinegar and perform surgeries without anesthesia. This is the dark age of healthcare.”

Dr. Sobhi Skaik from the Gaza Cancer Centre echoed her call for help, urging the global community to act.

“We need a solidarity fund like the one created for Ukraine. Cancer patients in Gaza have no time to wait. We must rebuild our hospitals and restore care to those who need it most.”

Gevorg Tamamyan, President Elect of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology Asia (SIOP ASIA), added his voice to the global call.

“Staying silent is shameful. Healthcare professionals cannot stand by while innocent lives are lost, and cannot behave like politicians, claiming neutrality for their benefit. We must defend human life, no matter where the conflict is—Gaza, Ukraine, Armenia, or anywhere else.”

Princess Dina Mired concluded with a powerful message:

“We cannot let cancer thrive because of war. The world must come together to rebuild Gaza’s healthcare system, or we will face countless avoidable deaths in the years ahead. This is a call for real solidarity.”

The global cancer community is being urged to act swiftly, with a strong push to create a solidarity fund to rebuild cancer care in Gaza and protect the lives of those most in need.

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Her Royal Highness Princess Dina Mired of Jordan is a humanitarian, passionate global advocate for Cancer Control and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and mother of a cancer survivor. She is the Patron of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP), Honorary President of the EORTC Research Fund, and Honorary Ambassador of Harvard Global Health Win-Win Initiative. Her Royal Highness is the Past – President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and former Director-General of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation. 

Sanya A. Springfield is the Director of the National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD), where she leads initiatives to advance cancer health disparities research, enhance workforce diversity, and foster community outreach and education. She is also a member of the Scientific Program Leadership (SPL) at NCI.

Gevorg Tamamyan is the Editor-in-chief of OncoDaily, President-Elect of SIOP Asia Continental Branch and Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group, and the CEO of the Immune Oncology Research Institute (IMMONC). He is the Chairman and Professor of the department of Haematology and Pediatric Oncology at Yerevan State Medical University. He is a Co-Founder and Board Member of the Armenian Association of Hematology and Oncology, City of Smile Charitable Foundation, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Cancer and Crisis, the Former President of the Harvard Club of Armenia.

Sobhi Skaik is the director of the Gaza Cancer Center and a distinguished leader in surgery, specializing in laparoscopy and surgical oncology, with over three decades of experience. He previously served as Head of Surgery and Medical Director at Shifa Hospital in Gaza. A fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and holder of multiple medical board certifications, Dr. Skaik has authored numerous research papers on trauma and surgery. He has played a key role in training future healthcare professionals and shaping health policies as an assistant professor of surgery at Al Azhar and Islamic Medical Universities in Gaza.