PRCS Convenes a Meeting for Health Organizations in the Gaza Strip

(Al Bireh – 3-9-2014): PRCS convened today at its headquarters in Gaza City an extensive meeting attended by representatives from several local and international organizations working in the health field in the Gaza Strip. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Hisham Youssef, Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Mr. Omar Al Azayzeh, PRCS’ Administrative Director in the Gaza Strip, and Dr. Khalil Abou’l Foul, Head of the PRCS’ Disaster Management Unit in the Strip.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Abou’l Foul conveyed to participants the greetings of PRCS’ President Dr. Younis Al Khatib and its General Manager Dr. Khaled Joudah, as well as their appreciation for the efforts made to provide health and humanitarian services to Palestinians during the Israeli attack on the Strip.

He briefed participants about the Society’s work during the attack, focusing on EMS, relief and psychosocial support provided to thousands of displaced families currently living in schools in the Gaza Strip. He also touched on Israel’s continuous targeting of PRCS facilities and ambulances, killing two EMTs in the line of duty and wounding tens of others.

Mr. Hisham Youssef expressed his deep appreciation for the efforts made by PRCS during the attack, thanking it for hosting this meeting to discuss key health sector needs as well as challenges facing hospitals and medical service providers in the Gaza Strip.

Participants discussed key issues facing the health sector, mainly the targeting of hospitals, the severe shortage in medicine and medical supplies, power cuts, fuel shortages, the destruction of many health facilities and equipment that are currently in need of restoration or repair, the referral of patients to hospitals abroad and the thousands of wounded Palestinians treated in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, means to enhance cooperation and coordination between participating organizations were discussed with a view to building and supporting the capacities of the health sector in the Gaza Strip, maintaining and restoring damaged health facilities, organizing training and rehabilitation courses for staff, and uniting efforts to build a strong and coherent health sector capable of overcoming future challenges, both man-made and natural.

End.