16 oct 2014
The Palestinian health ministry has sent a distress signal to the world community to save the health sector in Gaza from collapse. Ashraf al-Qidra, the ministry’s spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday that the lack of fuel was threatening the lives of patients in the beleaguered enclave.
He appealed to all official and international institutions and the free people of the world to urgently intervene and find a solution to that problem.
The health sector in Gaza Strip has been the victim of continuous crises including shortage of medicines, lack of fuel, and absence of financing from Ramallah. Gaza hospitals could not offer full medical services due to the lack of necessary potentials as a result of long years of siege.
He appealed to all official and international institutions and the free people of the world to urgently intervene and find a solution to that problem.
The health sector in Gaza Strip has been the victim of continuous crises including shortage of medicines, lack of fuel, and absence of financing from Ramallah. Gaza hospitals could not offer full medical services due to the lack of necessary potentials as a result of long years of siege.
9 oct 2014
The Palestinian Health Ministry warned of an imminent health crisis to hit Gaza’s hospitals soon due to the acute shortages in fuel reserves. Spokesman for the Health ministry, Ashraf al-Qudra, launched a distress signal over the looming crisis, urging all concerned parties to immediately intervene so as to restock Gaza’s hospitals with the necessary fuel needed to operate the power generators.
Al-Qudra raised alarm bells over the complex and complicated nature of the crisis after Gaza’s hospitals have run out of fuel.
He further warned that fuel reserves in children’s hospitals are at zero stock, a crisis expected to rock other hospitals within the next few days.
Al-Qudra raised alarm bells over the complex and complicated nature of the crisis after Gaza’s hospitals have run out of fuel.
He further warned that fuel reserves in children’s hospitals are at zero stock, a crisis expected to rock other hospitals within the next few days.
7 july 2014
The Palestinian health ministry warned that all its health services in hospitals and primary care centers in the besieged Gaza Strip could come to a halt because of an acute shortage of medical and fuel supplies. Deputy health minister Yousuf Abul-Rish told a news conference held on Sunday at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza that the ministry's storerooms ran out completely of more than 25 percent of essential medicines, and another 15 percent would become unavailable in the coming few days.
Abul-Rish added that 52 of medical disposables would also run out, and another 12 percent is threatened with depletion.
He also pointed to the fuel crisis, saying that the fuel supplies needed to operate power generators of hospitals are only enough for a few days, and half of the ambulances have become out of service for the same reason.
The companies providing cleaning services for hospitals would also recall its workers because they have not received their payments till today, according to the health official.
He held the Israeli occupation state fully responsible for the worsening health situation in Gaza and appealed to local and international medical groups to save the health sector from collapsing.
He also called on the Palestinian unity government in Ramallah to assume its humanitarian and moral responsibilities towards its people in Gaza, and urged Egypt to open the Rafah border crossing before relief groups and convoys.
Abul-Rish added that 52 of medical disposables would also run out, and another 12 percent is threatened with depletion.
He also pointed to the fuel crisis, saying that the fuel supplies needed to operate power generators of hospitals are only enough for a few days, and half of the ambulances have become out of service for the same reason.
The companies providing cleaning services for hospitals would also recall its workers because they have not received their payments till today, according to the health official.
He held the Israeli occupation state fully responsible for the worsening health situation in Gaza and appealed to local and international medical groups to save the health sector from collapsing.
He also called on the Palestinian unity government in Ramallah to assume its humanitarian and moral responsibilities towards its people in Gaza, and urged Egypt to open the Rafah border crossing before relief groups and convoys.
3 july 2014
The Palestinian Health Ministry on Wednesday said most of Gaza ambulances have gone out of service as fuel reserves have almost hit zero. Dr. Atef Ramlawi, head of the emergency unit in the ministry, warned, in a press release, that the current situation bodes ill for Gaza ambulances as they might run out of 70% of their overall fuel supplies.
He added: “We’ve been appealing to officials in the Finance and Health Ministries to step in. But to no avail so far.”
No single fuel liter has been bumped into the suspended Gaza ambulances since early July. The ambulances have only been operating in emergency cases.
The Palestinian official warned of the possible inability of meeting the emergency services needed in case of further Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip.
He called on all concerned parties and officials in the unity government to step in with no further delay so as to alleviate Gaza’s fuel crisis and cope with such an acute shortage in fuel quantities needed to recuperate Gaza’s ambulances.
Observers detected reluctance on the part of health Minister Fathi Awad, located in Ramallah, to deal with the crisis. He has rarely been in touch with the ministry representatives in Gaza.
He added: “We’ve been appealing to officials in the Finance and Health Ministries to step in. But to no avail so far.”
No single fuel liter has been bumped into the suspended Gaza ambulances since early July. The ambulances have only been operating in emergency cases.
The Palestinian official warned of the possible inability of meeting the emergency services needed in case of further Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip.
He called on all concerned parties and officials in the unity government to step in with no further delay so as to alleviate Gaza’s fuel crisis and cope with such an acute shortage in fuel quantities needed to recuperate Gaza’s ambulances.
Observers detected reluctance on the part of health Minister Fathi Awad, located in Ramallah, to deal with the crisis. He has rarely been in touch with the ministry representatives in Gaza.
30 june 2014
Officials at the Gaza Strip power plant announced Monday that they are no longer able to provide electricity for eight hours per day.
The company said in a statement that it was “doing its utmost” to provide power for water wells, sewage plants, hospitals and medical centers to prevent any humanitarian or environmental disaster.
The statement called upon all concerned parties to increase the available amount of electricity.
The company recommended people not to increase their consumption of electricity, especially in the hot weather, and to avoid turning on air conditioning in public and private facilities and mosques.
The company said in a statement that it was “doing its utmost” to provide power for water wells, sewage plants, hospitals and medical centers to prevent any humanitarian or environmental disaster.
The statement called upon all concerned parties to increase the available amount of electricity.
The company recommended people not to increase their consumption of electricity, especially in the hot weather, and to avoid turning on air conditioning in public and private facilities and mosques.
26 june 2014
Gaza's only power plant is still running today, after fuel was permitted entry into the Strip via Israel, just a day after the power authority warned that the plant would shut down. Additionally, 20 truckloads of pharmaceuticals and medical disposables are to soon arrive in the besieged coastal enclave.
Yesterday, an agreement was reached that would allow the importation of 250,000 liters of synthetic diesel to Gaza's power generation station, according to Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil, deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza.
The fuel aims to continue the supply of electricity for eight hours daily. Khalil added that this is enough for one day, explaining that there are other suggestions to reduce the taxes on diesel.
Qatar had agreed, in March, to continue to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months, according to Ma'an. The donated fuel was expected to run out on Tuesday.
Furthermore, Raed Fattouh, the person in charge of coordinating goods which enter Gaza, told Ma'an News Agency that more than 400 truckloads of goods were shipped in on Wednesday, including diesel fuel to run the power plant.
Gasoline and humanitarian aid was also shipped into the area, according to Fattouh. In addition, two truckloads of cement were shipped in to be used for UN-funded projects.
Jawad Awwad, Palestinian Minister of Health, says that his ministry has completed the necessary procedures to ship 20 truckloads of drugs and medical disposables to the region, accroding to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency.
A severe shortages of medicine -- in addition to the fuel crisis -- has forced Gaza's main hospitals to suspend all non-emergency surgery cases previously queued.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health distributed 1 million New Israeli Shekels (just under $300,000 US) to the hospitals in order to buy fuel supplies to power their electricity generators.
Gaza has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises. Backed by Egypt, Israel tightened the blockade in 2007, following an election victory by Hamas.
The medicinal aid is expected to stock out in weeks.
Yesterday, an agreement was reached that would allow the importation of 250,000 liters of synthetic diesel to Gaza's power generation station, according to Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil, deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza.
The fuel aims to continue the supply of electricity for eight hours daily. Khalil added that this is enough for one day, explaining that there are other suggestions to reduce the taxes on diesel.
Qatar had agreed, in March, to continue to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months, according to Ma'an. The donated fuel was expected to run out on Tuesday.
Furthermore, Raed Fattouh, the person in charge of coordinating goods which enter Gaza, told Ma'an News Agency that more than 400 truckloads of goods were shipped in on Wednesday, including diesel fuel to run the power plant.
Gasoline and humanitarian aid was also shipped into the area, according to Fattouh. In addition, two truckloads of cement were shipped in to be used for UN-funded projects.
Jawad Awwad, Palestinian Minister of Health, says that his ministry has completed the necessary procedures to ship 20 truckloads of drugs and medical disposables to the region, accroding to Al Ray Palestinian Media Agency.
A severe shortages of medicine -- in addition to the fuel crisis -- has forced Gaza's main hospitals to suspend all non-emergency surgery cases previously queued.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health distributed 1 million New Israeli Shekels (just under $300,000 US) to the hospitals in order to buy fuel supplies to power their electricity generators.
Gaza has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises. Backed by Egypt, Israel tightened the blockade in 2007, following an election victory by Hamas.
The medicinal aid is expected to stock out in weeks.
25 june 2014
The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health will ship 20 truckloads of medicine and medical equipment to Gaza this week, a minister said.
Jawad Awwad, minister of health, said all preparations to ship the cargo have been finalized to ease the "suffering of our people."
Spokesman for Gaza's health ministry Ashraf al-Qidra said the shipment comes as health conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate as a result of shortages.
Several hospitals have had to cancel all non-emergency surgeries due to a lack of medical equipment.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
Jawad Awwad, minister of health, said all preparations to ship the cargo have been finalized to ease the "suffering of our people."
Spokesman for Gaza's health ministry Ashraf al-Qidra said the shipment comes as health conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate as a result of shortages.
Several hospitals have had to cancel all non-emergency surgeries due to a lack of medical equipment.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
24 june 2014
The Palestinian ministry of health in Gaza says a serious crisis is expected to affect the health sector in the coastal enclave as many types of medicines and medical equipment have run out and other types are running out.
Ashraf al-Qidra said in a statement Tuesday that 122 types of basic medicines completely ran out and 91 types would run out in a few weeks. Furthermore, 471 types of medical equipment and disposables have run out completely and some 85 types will run out in a few weeks, added al-Qidra.
He highlighted that Gaza fuel crisis has affected hospitals and medical centers. During daily power cuts, Gaza hospitals use diesel-run generators to produce electricity.
Gaza public hospitals, says al-Qidra, consume 8,000 liters of diesel a day and they now have only 20 percent of the average reserve. In addition, ambulances and other vehicles of the ministry consume about 22,000 liters of diesel and 12,000 liters of gasoline a month. Under these conditions, he added that fuel reserves will run out in a few days.
As a result, the ministry of health decided to cancel surgical operations which are not urgent and to reduce about 50 percent of ambulance travel.
Ashraf al-Qidra said in a statement Tuesday that 122 types of basic medicines completely ran out and 91 types would run out in a few weeks. Furthermore, 471 types of medical equipment and disposables have run out completely and some 85 types will run out in a few weeks, added al-Qidra.
He highlighted that Gaza fuel crisis has affected hospitals and medical centers. During daily power cuts, Gaza hospitals use diesel-run generators to produce electricity.
Gaza public hospitals, says al-Qidra, consume 8,000 liters of diesel a day and they now have only 20 percent of the average reserve. In addition, ambulances and other vehicles of the ministry consume about 22,000 liters of diesel and 12,000 liters of gasoline a month. Under these conditions, he added that fuel reserves will run out in a few days.
As a result, the ministry of health decided to cancel surgical operations which are not urgent and to reduce about 50 percent of ambulance travel.
20 june 2014
The Palestinian Health Ministry has decided to stop non-emergency surgeries in all hospitals in the Gaza Strip due to the acute shortage of medicines and fuel in light of the recent Israeli military escalation.
Spokesman for the ministry Ashraf Qudra said in a press release on Friday that hospitals in the besieged Strip suffer from an unprecedented acute shortage of medicines and medical supplies, and their fuel needs started to run short.
He confirmed that the scarcity of medicines and medical supplies is still a persistent problem in Gaza despite the formation of the unity government.
He said his ministry’s decision to suspend non-emergency surgeries came as part of a contingency plan aimed at preserving the remaining medical and fuel supplies used by hospitals.
Spokesman for the ministry Ashraf Qudra said in a press release on Friday that hospitals in the besieged Strip suffer from an unprecedented acute shortage of medicines and medical supplies, and their fuel needs started to run short.
He confirmed that the scarcity of medicines and medical supplies is still a persistent problem in Gaza despite the formation of the unity government.
He said his ministry’s decision to suspend non-emergency surgeries came as part of a contingency plan aimed at preserving the remaining medical and fuel supplies used by hospitals.
12 june 2014
Eqbal Asa’d is a Palestinian
Eqbal Asa’d is a Palestinian Muslim woman who was set by the Guinness World Records as the youngest doctor in the World. When someone enrolls in the medicine school that one of the longest schooling required profession, by the time they finish school they will be around 30-or at least on their late 20s. But not for this girl; Eqbal Asa’d is a Palestinian Muslim woman that started the Medicine school when she was just 14 years old, 'myhijab.info' reports.
Asa'd got her Bachelor degree in Medicine with Honors and and was set by the Guinness World Records as the youngest doctor in the World, according to the report.
She has been signed to go to Ohio, U.S to continue her education even further and become a Pediatrician.
Eqbal Asa’d is a Palestinian Muslim woman who was set by the Guinness World Records as the youngest doctor in the World. When someone enrolls in the medicine school that one of the longest schooling required profession, by the time they finish school they will be around 30-or at least on their late 20s. But not for this girl; Eqbal Asa’d is a Palestinian Muslim woman that started the Medicine school when she was just 14 years old, 'myhijab.info' reports.
Asa'd got her Bachelor degree in Medicine with Honors and and was set by the Guinness World Records as the youngest doctor in the World, according to the report.
She has been signed to go to Ohio, U.S to continue her education even further and become a Pediatrician.
10 june 2014
A major East Jerusalem hospital is at risk of closure due to crippling financial difficulties blamed on the lack of adequate support by the Palestinian Authority, says director.
Employees haven’t received their monthly wages for three months, Dr Rafiq al-Husseini, the director of al-Maqasid Hospital in the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, told Ma’an on Tuesday.
He added that the hospital suffers from a serious shortage in medicines and medical equipment.
“Our message is clear: the Palestinian Authority must support Jerusalem and its institutions. The PA ministries of health and finance must provide support to this hospital and all other hospitals in the city.”
Palestinian ministers, added Al-Husseini, have recently made promises to the administration of al-Maqasid, but since then the financial crisis has been aggravating.
Husseini confirmed that if nothing is done before the month of Ramadan (end of June), employees will not get their salaries and suppliers of equipment do not get their money.
“We are headed to a collapse,” he said.
The United States was supposed to pay al-Maqasid a grant of $38 million, but it was cancelled due to the political crisis after peace talks came to a stalemate, according to Husseini.
The deputy secretary of the union of employees said employees have not been paid regularly since November 2013. He confirmed that if a solution to the crisis isn’t found, the hospital will not accept any patient after June 17.
Iyad Sayyid Ahmad highlighted that the PA’s ministry of health owes al-Maqasid Hospital $50 million. The ministry, he said, told the administration that it can’t pay any of these debts under the current conditions.
Employees haven’t received their monthly wages for three months, Dr Rafiq al-Husseini, the director of al-Maqasid Hospital in the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, told Ma’an on Tuesday.
He added that the hospital suffers from a serious shortage in medicines and medical equipment.
“Our message is clear: the Palestinian Authority must support Jerusalem and its institutions. The PA ministries of health and finance must provide support to this hospital and all other hospitals in the city.”
Palestinian ministers, added Al-Husseini, have recently made promises to the administration of al-Maqasid, but since then the financial crisis has been aggravating.
Husseini confirmed that if nothing is done before the month of Ramadan (end of June), employees will not get their salaries and suppliers of equipment do not get their money.
“We are headed to a collapse,” he said.
The United States was supposed to pay al-Maqasid a grant of $38 million, but it was cancelled due to the political crisis after peace talks came to a stalemate, according to Husseini.
The deputy secretary of the union of employees said employees have not been paid regularly since November 2013. He confirmed that if a solution to the crisis isn’t found, the hospital will not accept any patient after June 17.
Iyad Sayyid Ahmad highlighted that the PA’s ministry of health owes al-Maqasid Hospital $50 million. The ministry, he said, told the administration that it can’t pay any of these debts under the current conditions.
8 june 2014
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Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah inaugurated on Saturday Al-Najah University teaching hospital in Nablus city, northern the West Bank. Hamdallah said that this is the first hospital of its kind in Palestine as it will provide advanced medical services in addition to medical training and research for the Palestinian people.
The hospital will help to produce highly-qualified and skilled doctors and specialists, thus promoting the development of the Palestinian heath sector, he added. The current capacity of the hospital is 120 beds. It is equipped with a fully-running intensive care unit (ICU) and an emergency room in addition to all equipment necessary for dialysis treatment, X-ray, ultrasound, and computerized topography (CT) scans. In 2016, the capacity is expected to be 450 beds. |
The teaching hospital represents a crucial development in the medical landscape of Palestine as it is the first hospital of its kind in the country.
3 june 2014
Palestinian Minister of Health, Jawad Awwad
Palestinian Minister of Health, Jawad Awwad, announced Monday that the ministry will devote its hard work to improve and develop the health sector in the Gaza Strip. Awwad took the oath of Health office in the national unity government which announced Monday.
"The national unity government will visit Gaza soon. It will do its best to overcome the malfunctions in the health sector," he said.
Israeli occupation has imposed illegal siege on the Gaza strip since 2007 which affects health sector seriously.
He noted there is no particular time for the visit yet, but the goverment will try to visit Gaza even if Israel banned them.
Under terms of a deal signed on April 23, the main Palestinian rivals, Fatah and Hamas, agreed to establish a unity cabinet of 17 independent ministers that would organize long-delayed elections.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore in a unity government on Monday after overcoming a last-minute dispute with the Hamas.
Ministers in the new administration took the oath of office in a televised ceremony in Ramallah, the Palestinian seat of government in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Three ministers from the Gaza Strip were denied entry to the West Bank via Israel.
Palestinian Minister of Health, Jawad Awwad, announced Monday that the ministry will devote its hard work to improve and develop the health sector in the Gaza Strip. Awwad took the oath of Health office in the national unity government which announced Monday.
"The national unity government will visit Gaza soon. It will do its best to overcome the malfunctions in the health sector," he said.
Israeli occupation has imposed illegal siege on the Gaza strip since 2007 which affects health sector seriously.
He noted there is no particular time for the visit yet, but the goverment will try to visit Gaza even if Israel banned them.
Under terms of a deal signed on April 23, the main Palestinian rivals, Fatah and Hamas, agreed to establish a unity cabinet of 17 independent ministers that would organize long-delayed elections.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore in a unity government on Monday after overcoming a last-minute dispute with the Hamas.
Ministers in the new administration took the oath of office in a televised ceremony in Ramallah, the Palestinian seat of government in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Three ministers from the Gaza Strip were denied entry to the West Bank via Israel.
1 june 2014
Andy Charlie and John Patterson from the institute and Soheela al-Tarazi, Maher Ayyad and Sameera Farah from the Hospital, along with Minister of Health, Dr Mofeed al-Makhalalati
Physicians from the US-based Anderson Cancer Institute discussed Sunday with the minister of health the establishment of a cancer treatment unit at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. Soheela al-Tarazi, Maher Ayyad and Sameera Farah from the hospital accompanied the delegation.
Public Relations at the ministry reported that the American delegation, hosted in Gaza and spondered by Al-Ahli Arab Hospital,consisted of Andy Charlie and John Patterson.
They proposed to establish a radiation oncology center at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, the ministry said.
Al-Ahli Arab Hospital was originally a medical work established in the late 1800s by the Church Missionary Society (CMS), and then developed into a hopital after the World War 2.
Dr. Makhalalati expressed his interest and full support of the project, saying that Gaza does not have any specialized cancer treatment facility, which leads the cancer patients to seek treatment outside.
However, he said some citizens are not allowed to travel abroad for medical care due to the continued blockade imposed on Gaza, which might cause severe complications to them.
In this respect, the delegation thanked the ministry for “facilitating the establishment of the vital center, which would contribute to helping many cancer patients,”
Ministry of Health issued in February 2013 a statement which confirmed that deaths resulting from cancer in Palestine amounted to 12.4%, compared to a rate of 10.8% in 2010.
Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights issued in June 2012 a statement indicated that 12.4% of the total deaths in the Gaza Strip were caused by cancer.
Physicians from the US-based Anderson Cancer Institute discussed Sunday with the minister of health the establishment of a cancer treatment unit at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. Soheela al-Tarazi, Maher Ayyad and Sameera Farah from the hospital accompanied the delegation.
Public Relations at the ministry reported that the American delegation, hosted in Gaza and spondered by Al-Ahli Arab Hospital,consisted of Andy Charlie and John Patterson.
They proposed to establish a radiation oncology center at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, the ministry said.
Al-Ahli Arab Hospital was originally a medical work established in the late 1800s by the Church Missionary Society (CMS), and then developed into a hopital after the World War 2.
Dr. Makhalalati expressed his interest and full support of the project, saying that Gaza does not have any specialized cancer treatment facility, which leads the cancer patients to seek treatment outside.
However, he said some citizens are not allowed to travel abroad for medical care due to the continued blockade imposed on Gaza, which might cause severe complications to them.
In this respect, the delegation thanked the ministry for “facilitating the establishment of the vital center, which would contribute to helping many cancer patients,”
Ministry of Health issued in February 2013 a statement which confirmed that deaths resulting from cancer in Palestine amounted to 12.4%, compared to a rate of 10.8% in 2010.
Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights issued in June 2012 a statement indicated that 12.4% of the total deaths in the Gaza Strip were caused by cancer.