UAE gives $25 million support to Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem

Under the direction of the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country inked a $25 million cooperation deal in support of Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem.
In partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and in consultation with the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, the United Arab Emirates supported the medical and health care sectors in the occupied Palestinian territory (UNSCO).

In July of this year, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed donated the funds, which would be used to sustain its services.

The arrangement is part of the United Arab Emirates’ ongoing efforts to help Palestinian healthcare institutions in partnership with the World Health Organization and the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.

The 1968-founded, 250-bed hospital plays a significant role in providing health care to the Palestinian people.

In addition to comprehensive general healthcare, the hospital offers cardiology, orthopaedics, pediatric medicine, and neurology.

It also acts as a teaching hospital and research institution for the Faculty of Medicine at Al Quds University.

UAE’s Helping Hand

The director general of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commended the UAE for their “generous gift.”

“The Covid-19 epidemic has proved that health is a fundamental human right and not a luxury,” he explained.

“We applaud the United Arab Emirates for their generous gift, leadership, and dedication to enhancing the delivery of quality health care to the Palestinian people.”

According to the Wam news agency, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs Sultan Al Shamsi stated that the agreement reflects the UAE’s consistent and historic commitment to meeting the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, particularly in the health sector.

He stated that around 130,000 individuals will benefit from the services of Al Makassed Hospital.

UN Resident Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Lynn Hastings hailed the UAE for their “timely and significant assistance.” She stated that it would contribute in maintaining the hospital’s key health services.

Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, director of the World Health Organization’s office for the West Bank and Gaza, stated that the agreement is crucial for preserving the urgent and critical delivery of key healthcare services, including referral patients, at the hospital.

It will also increase the quality of its department of obstetrics and gynecology and aid in the training of medical experts for the entire Palestinian territory.

Dr. Adnan Farhoud, director general of the hospital, also hailed the UAE for the “humanitarian gesture.”