Local doctors save life of child from Gaza

A six-year-old and her mother trekked from Gaza through a tumultuous Egypt and ended up across the world in Nassau County — all because of spilled hot tea.  

Nebal Hani al Shamali, 6, was severely injured when she knocked over a tea kettle that poured scalding hot water all over her body. Though physicians from Doctors Without Borders stabilized the child, severe burns required urgent and specialized care unavailable to her in Gaza. Nebal and her mother, Ikram, set off on a journey for proper treatment. They ended up in a politically heated Egypt. Just before protests and riots erupted, in late January, they were transported to New York.  

Nebal was all smiles on Tuesday in Mineola as County Executive Ed Mangano honored the two doctors and nurse that took care of the child as she went through surgery on Feb. 4 and then recovery for serious fourth-degree burns. The surgery and recovery was performed at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside. 

“With the recent turmoil in Egypt and barrage of devastating news stories, it’s wonderful to be able to honor Nassau county doctors who saved this young girl’s life,” Mangano said. “Her incredible story is a much-needed reminder to all of us that even amidst chaos and destruction, miracles do occur.”

The Long Island Plastic Surgical Group’s Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh and Dr. Roger L. Simpson, who is the director of the Nassau County Firefighters Burn Center at the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, stepped in to volunteer their services. Nurse Lynn Bert treated Nebal throughout her recovery period in the SNCH pediatric unit. The effort was done through Mission: Restore, an organization that provides pro bono medical care along with transportation and hospital costs. 

According to Alizadeh, Nebal suffered from severe fourth-degree burns that extended down to the bone. 

Ingram Mohammed, the daughter of the Nebal’s host mother who acted as her interpreter, said the six-year-old had trouble sleeping and frequently scratching her burns. 

“She was up all night scratching,” Ingram said. “Now she’s perfect.”

Alizadeh said he was inspired by Nebal’s perseverance through a difficult time.  

“She’s one tough kid,” the surgeon said. “We learned more from her than she has learned from us.”