(Salfit, 23-04-2011):In cooperation with Safe Motherhood Committees (SMCs) in the Northern West Bank, the PRCS held a ceremony to mark the World Health Day which is celebrated annually on the 7th of April. Held under the banner “Towards a Safe Life with Safe Motherhood Committees”, the ceremony was attended by PRCS President Dr. Younis Al Khatib, Salfit Mayor Sheikh Tahseen Abou Salima and many dignitaries from the Governorate.
In his welcome address, Mayor Abou Salima lauded PRCS’ continuous support to Palestinians in Salfit Governorate, as well as cooperation between PRCS and NGOs. He recalled that the Municipality has donated a piece of land on which PRCS shall build a health compound. Abou Salima also praised PRCS’ teams in the homeland and the Diaspora which work under the most difficult conditions, and affirmed that his Municipality and all Salfit institutions shall continue to cooperate with PRCS and its teams to help them discharge their humanitarian mission.
In his speech, Dr. Al Khatib said that Salfit Governorate and its inhabitants are amongst the Society’s top priorities given the widespread land confiscation and settlement activities it is witnessing. “PRCS is making serious efforts to build its own health compound in the Governorate”, he said. Al Khatib also touched on voluntary work which is one of PRCS’ cornerstones. As an example, he spoke about the role played by the 75 Safe Motherhood Committees which work under the Society’s supervision with support from the EU through the German and Finnish Red Cross Societies. “More than 1100 volunteers work in these Committees in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
SMCs are amongst PRCS’ most successful Programs, and thanks to your strong will we hope to ensure their continuous success without having to depend on external aid”, he added. He also praised SMC members for running 35 micro projects in the West bank and the Gaza Strip.
Speaking on behalf of SMCs, a female volunteer wished that women would receive support all year round and not just on certain occasions. She valued the role played by PRCS in support of SMCs and its micro projects.
The ceremony featured theatre plays by SMC members which tackled health and societal issues, as well as an artistic interlude by the Farkha Popular Dabkeh Troupe.
It is to be noted that PRCS has held three other similar ceremonies in the Central and Southern West Bank as well as in the Gaza Strip.
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