Not only is this really stressful for the patients and their families, but also a major financial burden for poor households, especially for families caring for people with disabilities or chronically ill family members.
The project aims to ensure the functioning and development of mobile clinics in order to maintain uninterrupted access to healthcare for the communities worst affected by the humanitarian crisis in the West Bank, where living conditions worsened significantly in the aftermath of 7 October 2023.
Polish Humanitarian Action joined forces with its local partner – the Palestinian Medical Relief Society – to carry out a project aimed at improving access to and quality of medical services by setting up mobile clinics that reach the most remote areas of Area C. Doctors and emergency medical teams offer basic medical care, conduct tests and, in more serious cases, refer patients to the appropriate departments of larger healthcare centres.
The project also includes first aid training and activities aimed at raising awareness of health and disease prevention.
In addition, this year we will launch a scholarship programme for aspiring female healthcare professionals. Three female medical students selected in coordination with the Ministry of Health will have their tuition fees covered and will receive mentoring and on-the-job training. They will join the mobile teams as volunteers for the duration of their studies, and after graduation they will have the opportunity to work with the mobile teams as full-time employees.
As part of the programme, three medical centres will also be renovated and adapted to the needs of women, girls and people with disabilities in 2025. They will also get modern equipment to treat chronic diseases and to care for women before, during, and after pregnancy.
In total, 20,000 – 25,000 people will receive support.