Dr Philippa Whitford is a breast cancer surgeon, former MP for Central Ayrshire, trustee of MAP, patron of the BPP and worked in Gaza as a surgeon between 1991-2 and then again from 2016-2019. 

In this episode Lara talks to Philippa about her experiences working in Gaza over two crucial periods in Gaza’s recent history. Philippa tells us about the daily struggles of working in Gaza during the first Intifada and in the wake of the Madrid Conference, and then again during Gaza’s occupation by Israel. Lara asks about what it was like to watch the genocide unfold and what parallels Philippa sees between what we are seeing now and her experience living in Gaza. 

This is an incredibly moving and insightful episode which paints a vivid picture of the state of Gaza’s health service pre genocide and outlines the challenges that the healthcare system faces now.

If you are interested in seeing Philippa speak live, then make sure you are following her and her ongoing tour of Scotland.