Ramallah: The Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah has witnessed significant advancements following the inauguration of several specialized departments, a development supported by the Palestinian community in the United States.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the initiative is designed to improve and localize healthcare services, thereby reducing the necessity for medical referrals outside the Palestinian healthcare system. The new departments include a vascular center, a women's health and breast cancer department, a pathology laboratory, a pulmonary function laboratory, a pediatric radiology room, and mobile ultrasound equipment. These projects were realized through a partnership between Physicians for Palestine (PfPal) and the American Federation of Ramallah-Palestine, with generous contributions from Shawqi Shaheen, coordinated with the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Palestine Medical Complex administration.
Rajai Khoury, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Physicians for Palestine, termed the collaboration a powerful model of teamwork and unity. He highlighted the advanced equipment and devices now available, which are set to enhance diagnostic accuracy, expand specialized care, and improve treatment outcomes. He also mentioned the "Hanan Relief" initiative that supports Palestine's healthcare sector via home dialysis programs, allowing patients to receive safe treatment at home.
Khoury emphasized that these initiatives represent a major step towards building a more robust and resilient healthcare system for the Palestinian people. Physicians for Palestine, an organization comprising over 50 healthcare professionals from the U.S., Middle East, and Europe, aims to provide medical relief and bolster healthcare systems to ensure dignified treatment accessible to all.
Murad Barakat, Director of the Palestine Medical Complex, praised the significant support from the Palestinian community in the U.S., which helped provide advanced medical equipment previously unavailable in Palestinian government hospitals. He noted that these projects reflect the deep ties of Palestinians to their homeland and their determination to offer healthcare services that eliminate the need to seek treatment abroad.
Barakat also acknowledged the ongoing support from Physicians for Palestine and the American Federation of Ramallah-Palestine, and expressed appreciation for Shawqi Shaheen's generous donation, continuing a family legacy of giving. The newly established departments are equipped with the latest technology, particularly in osteoporosis, women's health, and breast cancer diagnosis, allowing for accurate and rapid patient examinations.
The establishment of these departments comes amid challenges posed by the Israeli occupation and the withholding of Palestinian tax revenues, which threaten the Palestinian health sector. Barakat affirmed that the U.S. Palestinian community's support has enhanced the health services at the complex and reduced the need for foreign medical referrals.
Since its opening, the Women's Health Department has served over 600 patients, utilizing advanced devices for breast cancer diagnostics, biopsies, and bone density scans. The Pathology Department, with its new equipment, has improved diagnostic accuracy and reduced result waiting times, minimizing the need for external laboratory referrals.
Alaa Awda, a radiology technician at the Women's Health and Breast Cancer Department, highlighted the department's capabilities in providing mammography and other critical services. She noted that the Osteoporosis Department serves a broad patient demographic, including those with chronic illnesses leading to osteoporosis.
Iftikhar Shuja'iya, a laboratory technician, stated that the new technology allows precise cell type visualization, significantly reducing costs associated with external sample analysis. The Peripheral Catheterization Department, operational for two years, has provided essential services for treating peripheral vascular diseases and cerebral catheterization, treating over 500 cases from various northern governorates.
Amir Mansour, head of the Peripheral Catheterization Department, confirmed that the department's operation has reduced the number of costly foreign medical referrals and decreased patient waiting times. The advanced equipment used includes unique peripheral and cerebral catheterization devices serving all governorates in the region.
The impact of these departments extends beyond Ramallah, with the complex serving patients from across the West Bank, alleviating financial and logistical burdens on patients. Wael Al-Sheikh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, expressed gratitude for the U.S. Palestinian community's support, which has enabled the complex to provide advanced services comparable to specialized medical centers, and called for continued backing amidst Palestine's challenging circumstances.