ABU DHABI (UNA/WAM) – In implementation of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has allocated a financial grant worth US$64.5 million to Al-Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem, to support operations, medical staff, and facility modernization.
Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development Affairs and Martyrs' Families, and Chairman of the International Humanitarian Affairs Council, affirmed the UAE's commitment to supporting our Palestinian brothers across all societal sectors, in light of the great interest and unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. The UAE continues to support the health sector across all Palestinian territories in coordination with relevant international organizations, particularly the World Health Organization.
He explained that the UAE continues to empower healthcare workers, including doctors and administrators, to ensure the capacity of Palestinian healthcare institutions is supported and meet the aspirations of the Palestinian people.
For his part, Dr. Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the Emirates International Aid Agency, said that the UAE is working with various international organizations and relevant regional institutions to enhance various health services in East Jerusalem, Gaza, and other priority areas at this stage. Therefore, Al-Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem is considered an important health facility, as it specializes in performing heart surgeries, specialized clinics for children and orthopedics, conducting medical research, and providing comprehensive health care.
For his part, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, expressed the organization's gratitude to the UAE for its support to Al Makassed Hospital, enabling it to continue providing essential healthcare. This will enable the organization to provide the hospital with essential medicines and critical medical supplies, expand its medical imaging capabilities, enhance the obstetrics and gynecology department, and assist in training more than 100 individuals in 11 medical specialties.
For his part, Dr. Omar Abu Zaida, Director General of Al-Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem, expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to the UAE for its support of the hospital's medical and administrative staff. This is a continuation of the UAE's ongoing efforts to empower the healthcare sector across all Palestinian territories, supporting workers and enabling them to perform their duties sustainably.
“The UAE’s support for us as Palestinians means a lot to us. Since its establishment by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE has consistently stood by and provided support and assistance in all that the Palestinian people aspire to, especially the city of Jerusalem,” he said. “We are proud of the UAE’s steadfast, historic and ongoing position, its pioneering global efforts and its work with all parties to support Jerusalemite institutions and improve and enhance health services for all beneficiaries, including patients and visitors, especially women and children.”
It is worth noting that Al-Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem was officially opened in 1968 with a capacity of 20 beds. Today, it has over 250 beds, and employs approximately 950 medical and administrative staff. The hospital has a specialized residency program for training physicians, which includes 13 medical specialties accredited by the Palestinian Medical Council and the Jordanian Medical Council. More than 540 specialized doctors have graduated from this program, and the hospital serves more than 66,000 residents of Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.
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