Healthcare
When UNDP/PAPP commenced operations in 1980, the health sector required extensive assistance to reach acceptable standards. With few hospitals, most of which were poorly equipped, the ratio of patients to beds was far below the needs of the population. Many rural villages had no health clinics and many existing clinics were in disrepair and lacked the necessary equipment. Although there was an abundance of general practitioners there was an acute shortage of specialist physicians. As a result, the Palestinian people were heavily dependent on Israeli medical facilities for adequate treatment, but access to these facilities was extremely difficult.
In addition, few communities had adequate sanitation facilities resulting in limited access to safe drinking water, and a high rate of water-borne diseases, particularly among children. The situation was particularly dire in the crowded refugee camps where raw sewage often flowed through the streets in uncovered gutters.
Today the situation is greatly improved, but many communities in the West Bank and Gaza still lack convenient and adequate access to health care facilities and a safe and adequate drinking water supply. From the programme's beginning to the present time, UNDP/ PAPP has been addressing these problems as matters of high priority.
Achievements in Health
a) Six hospitals located in major population centres have been expanded and their medical services significantly upgraded. These are:
- The Princess Alia Hospital in Hebron, which serves approximately 500,000 people.
- Tulkarem Hospital, serving a population of about 220,000
- Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City.
- Al-Awda Hospital in the Jabalia refugee camp which serves a population of approximatly 120,000 people.
- Kamel Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia. A new hospital is currently under construction in Salfeet near Tulkarem in the West Bank.
b) Over one hundred health clinics have been either established, renovated or better equipped. The great majority of these are located in rural areas.
c) The Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the Patients Friends Society and some other private health organisations have been provided with better equipment including specialized intensive care ambulances.
d) Physicians have been provided with specialised training in various fields through UNDP/PAPP’s Health Fellowship Programme, with special emphasis on anaesthesiology, a field in which the shortage has been particularly acute.
e) Training has been provided for a large numbers of nurses, medical secretaries and other support personnel.
f) A Health Education Programme for School Children is in operation in many schools aimed at improving personal hygiene and raising awareness of health issues.
In addition, the capacity of the Palestinian National Authority Ministry of Health in the area of policy formulation and health planning has been enhanced through technical assistance provided by UNDP/PAPP.
Impact
- At least 1 million residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip who formerly had limited or no access to health care are now served by well-equipped hospitals and clinics.
- The number of hospital beds in the West Bank has increased by 14% mainly as a result of UNDP/PAPP’s support.
- Expansion and rehabilitation of outpatient departments has enabled hospitals to care for greater numbers of patients in better facilities.
- The quality of health care and availability of treatments increased significantly.
- Medical specialists now have the facilities needed to provide specialised care not available locally.
Press Releases
Government of Italy and UNDP Inaugurate the Northern Wing of Princes Alia Hospital in Hebron: 24.04.2008
