Tarek Loubani

Canadian physician and humanitarian

Tarek Loubani is a Canadian physician, humanitarian, and activist known for his work in emergency medicine and his involvement in humanitarian efforts, particularly in the Gaza Strip. He is also recognized for his contributions to open-source medical devices.

Early Life and Education

Tarek Loubani was born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents. He moved to Canada at a young age, where he pursued his education. Loubani completed his undergraduate studies at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and later attended medical school at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

Medical Career

Loubani is an emergency physician at the London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ontario. His medical career is marked by a strong commitment to providing care in challenging environments. He has worked extensively in the Gaza Strip, where he has been involved in training local medical staff and providing direct medical care.

Humanitarian Work

Loubani is a co-founder of the Gaza Medical Aid Project, which aims to improve medical care in Gaza by providing training and resources to local healthcare providers. He has been actively involved in delivering medical supplies and equipment to the region, often under difficult and dangerous conditions.

A stethoscope designed by Tarek Loubani

Open-Source Medical Devices

Loubani is a proponent of open-source technology in medicine. He has developed several low-cost, open-source medical devices, including a 3D-printed stethoscope. This stethoscope, known as the Glia Project Stethoscope, is designed to be affordable and easily produced in resource-limited settings. The project aims to make essential medical tools accessible to healthcare providers in underserved areas.

Activism and Advocacy

Loubani is an outspoken advocate for human rights and has been involved in various initiatives to raise awareness about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He has participated in numerous speaking engagements and has written extensively on the challenges faced by healthcare providers in conflict zones.

Incidents and Arrests

In 2013, Loubani was arrested in Egypt along with filmmaker John Greyson while en route to Gaza. The arrest drew international attention and led to a widespread campaign for their release. They were detained for 51 days before being released without charges.

Related Pages

• Emergency medicine
• Open-source hardware
• Humanitarian aid
• Gaza Strip