A new cancer care facility has opened at Beit Jala Government Hospital in the West Bank with support from the Government of Italy. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) implemented the $2.2 million project in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The funds are part of a $9.4 million contribution from Italy to improve the quality of health care for Palestinians in the occupied territories.
The new Onco-haematology Center provides screening, diagnosis and treatment of tumors and related blood disorders. It offers comprehensive adult and paediatric services, including day care and an outpatient clinic, a tissue pathology laboratory, and a diagnostic endoscopy unit for examining internal organs.
As well as building the facilities, the project trained Palestinian medical personnel, procured equipment for the laboratory, and provided drugs for the centre's first year of operation.
The Government and people of Italy are interested in providing assistance to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian National Authority, said Gianni Ghisi, Consul General of Italy in Jerusalem. He described the cancer center as a pillar for Palestinian health institutions, since its medical services will reach all districts to provide treatment for people suffering from the dangerous disease.
The Italian Government and UNDP have played a key role since 1988 in the development of health institutions in the occupied territories. Other activities carried out by the project funded by Italy include renovation and expansion of the Hebron Government Hospital, Ittihad Hospital in Nablus, and Beit Jala Government Hospital. With support from Italy, UNDP also provided medical supplies and equipment to eight hospitals in the West Bank and an Audiology Center in Bethlehem. Italy also contributed seven million dollars for construction of the north wing of Hebron Government Hospital, another project being implemented by UNDP. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
