MAIREAD HEANEY, DAVID BORSHOFF and VANESSA CARNEGIE are members of Perth Doctors Medical Aid for Palestine

FOR the past two years, Perth Doctors Medical Aid for Palestine has been working tirelessly to support communities in Gaza through one of the most prolonged and devastating humanitarian crises in recent memory. 

On May 3, the group is hosting a special  fundraising screening of Oscar nominated The Voice of Hind Rajab.

The film which was the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, has moved audiences worldwide for its powerful portrayal of a child’s experience of conflict. 

For PDMAP, the screening is far more than a cultural event—it is a moment of reflection, connection, and renewed commitment to humanitarian action.

Two Years of Relentless Humanitarian Effort

PDMAP began as a handful of Western Australian clinicians who felt compelled to act as the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorated. 

The group has now grown to include over 100 medical professionals and has raised over $700,000 through their fundraising events.

Their mission has remained consistent: to provide essential medication, clean water, food, education and medical equipment to civilians whose lives have been devastated by war, while advocating and raising awareness about the conflict in their community.

Over the past two years, the group has:

• Raised funds to supply antibiotics, anaesthetic agents, paediatric medications, and dialysis machines

• Supported food distribution programs in displacement camps where families struggle to access basic nutrition.

• Contributed to clean water initiatives, recognising that water scarcity and contamination are major drivers of illness.

• Funded the construction and day to day running of two tent schools allowing over 600 children to return to full time education

• Funded the transfer of children to hospitals in Jordan for life saving cardiac surgery.

• Funded scholarships for medical students and junior doctors in Gaza

• Partnered with trusted international organisations to ensure aid reaches hospitals, clinics, and families safely and transparently.

Dr Mairead Heaney says the work has been emotionally challenging. 

“As doctors, we have found it so difficult to witness suffering from afar, especially the suffering of children, we feel a sense of responsibility to help patients- wherever they are.  

Dr David Borshoff reflected that the past two years have been “a constant reminder that even when we cannot change the circumstances, we can still choose to show up, to care, and to help.”

The Voice of Hind Rajab: A Story That Resonates Across Borders

Dr Heaney and Dr Borshoff said the decision to screen The Voice of Hind Rajab comes from a desire to create a space where West Australians could engage with the human stories hidden behind news headlines. 

The film centres on Hind, a five-year-old Palesinian girl, whose family were fleeing Gaza City when their car was shelled by the Israeli Defence Forces.

Hind, the only survivor, spent hours on the phone to a PCRS ambulance dispatch centre as they desperately tried to save her. 

Original voice recordings of the phone calls are used throughout the film.

Hind’s story is deeply personal, yet it reflects the experiences of thousands of children living through conflict.

For PDMAP, the film is not political—it is humanitarian.

It invites viewers to consider the impact of conflict on children, families, and communities, and to reflect on the universal desire for safety, dignity, and hope. The screening also serves as a fundraiser, with proceeds directed toward ongoing medical and humanitarian support.

How Western Australians Can Stay Connected and Show Solidarity

Many people in our community have asked how they can meaningfully support civilians and children affected by the crisis in Gaza. 

PDMAP emphasises that solidarity can take many forms, and that small, consistent actions can have a real impact.

1. Engage with Human Stories

Films like The Voice of Hind Rajab help people understand the lived experiences of civilians. Storytelling fosters empathy and keeps humanitarian needs at the forefront of public consciousness.

2. Support Local Humanitarian Initiatives

Groups such as PDMAP rely on community donations to fund medical supplies, food parcels, and water purification efforts. Even modest contributions can translate into lifesaving resources.

3. Attend Community Events

Film screenings, talks, vigils, and fundraisers create opportunities for people to come together, learn, and support one another. They also help maintain momentum for long‑term humanitarian engagement.

4. Share Information From Reputable Humanitarian Organisations

Amplifying accurate, human‑centred information helps keep attention on the needs of children and families affected by conflict.

5. Foster Compassionate Dialogue

Solidarity can be expressed through conversations that centre on human dignity, the protection of civilians, and the wellbeing of children—values shared across cultures and communities.

A Community United by Compassion

As PDMAP prepares for the screening of The Voice of Hind Rajab, the group sees it as both a moment of remembrance and a call to action.

The past two years have shown that West Australians are willing to stand with communities facing hardship, offering compassion, resources, and a commitment to human dignity.

For PDMAP, the message is simple: solidarity is powerful, and through collective effort, our community in West Australia can continue to support the health and wellbeing of innocent children and civilians in Gaza. 

The Voice of Hind Rajab will screen at The Windsor Cinema in Nedlands 6-9pm on Sunday May 3.

Following the film there will be a short panel discussion featuring doctors from the group, including Dr Mo Mustafa, who have worked in Gaza.

Tickets only available on line:  https://www.trybooking.com/DLFNQ or email perthdoctorsmedicalaid@gmail.com