West Bank, Palestine

Palestine. A place where daily life is interwoven with hope, courage, and quiet perseverance. A place where physiotherapy is not only a healthcare service, but an act of humanity.

How it began

The story of Physiotherapists Without Borders in Palestine began in 2022, when Lana Ritlop, the founder of the organization, joined the volunteer program Humus and Jam in the city of Nablus. There she worked with local organizations active in healthcare, rehabilitation, and human rights. The experience gave her insight into a reality where access to basic medical care is not guaranteed, and where physiotherapy often exists only as a dream for those who cannot afford it.

That same year, Lana Ritlop and Neža Pahič attended the Palestinian-European Civil Society Forum in Ramallah, where they met healthcare workers, organizations, and individuals who face daily challenges due to restricted movement, lack of equipment, and long-lasting consequences of trauma. There they saw firsthand that rehabilitation in Palestine is not a given, but depends on the courage, solidarity, and persistence of local communities.

The first mission to Ramallah

In 2023 an important step forward followed: the first official expedition of Physiotherapists Without Borders to Palestine, at the Abu Raya Rehabilitation Center in Ramallah. Two physiotherapy students, Josefina and Kaja, traveled there and, under the guidance of local mentors, worked with patients recovering from stroke, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and gunshot wounds.

With this work, Physiotherapists Without Borders was not only providing therapy, but also building bridges between worlds where health is a privilege and where it should be a right.

Where things stand now

Due to the worsening situation in the occupied territory, it is currently not possible to organize a new expedition, yet the team continues its work from Slovenia by supporting local organizations, raising awareness about the situation, and advocating for the truth about Palestine.

The next mission is planned for 2027, when volunteers will return to Ramallah to continue the collaboration and support those who persist in caring for life under the hardest conditions.

Why this matters

Healthcare and rehabilitation are fundamental human rights. Among all rights that should be universal, the right to health is the one that most closely connects the physical, social, and moral dimensions of human life.

In Palestine physiotherapy is not just a profession. It is an act of peace, compassion, and dignity.