On Monday, April 13, 2015, a Palestinian medical staff headed by Professor Saleem Haj Yahia, CEO and Dean of the Hospital and Faculty of Medicine at An-Najah, was able to accomplish a heart valve repair surgery without opening the chest at An-Najah Hospital for a 45 year old patient.

Professor Haj Yahia assured that this surgery is considered a huge step in the Palestinian Medical future as it is the first heart surgery in Palestine without opening the chest. He added that the patient is in good health.

Prof. Haj Yahia is hoping that An-Najah hospital will provide organ transplantation surgeries in the near future. He also commended the medical staff's efforts to make the surgery successful.

Notes:

-      The surgery was operated using the keyhole surgery which is a modern surgical technique in which operations are performed far from their location through small incisions (usually 0.5–1.5 cm) elsewhere in the body.