'Truly a lifeline': UAE pledges $64.5m for East Jerusalem hospital to support Palestinian health care

Financial aid for Al Makassed Hospital to help with operational expenses and upgrades

Al Makassed Hospital serves more than 66,000 patients from Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and Gaza. Corinna Kern for The National

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A $64.5 million grant provided by the UAE to a long-standing hospital in East Jerusalem has been hailed as a "lifeline" in its quest to provide critical care to Palestinians bearing the brunt of the conflict with Israel.

The major aid package, allocated under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed and announced on Monday, will support operational expenses and medical staff at Al Makassed Hospital, as well as helping to fund upgrades.

The hospital opened in 1968 with an initial capacity of 20 beds, which has since increased to 250. About 950 medical and administrative staff are employed at the facility, which serves more than 66,000 patients from Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Al Makassed provides a specialised residency programme for medical training, covering 13 disciplines, which is accredited by the Palestinian Medical Council and the Jordanian Medical Council. More than 540 specialised doctors have graduated from the programme over the years.

In July 2022, the UAE donated $25 million in aid for the hospital, which was pushed to the brink of closure after local government funding was cut during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs and chairman of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, emphasised the UAE's support for all sections of Palestinian society.

He stressed Sheikh Mohamed's "strong interest and unwavering support" for the Palestinian people, state news agency Wam reported. Sheikh Theyab noted that the Emirates continues to deliver assistance to the healthcare sector, in co-ordination with international agencies such as the World Health Organisation.

Dr Adnan Farhoud, deputy director general at Al Makassed, told The National that the latest donation is vital to efforts to support the Palestinian community, amid significant challenges posed by the conflict.

“This generous grant is truly a lifeline for our hospital,” he said. “The first grant helped us remain open and this new funding gives us a golden opportunity to preserve the hospital and improve the level of health care we provide in beloved Jerusalem.”

The war has had a significant effect on day-to-day operations at the hospital, with some Palestinians unable to access care. “Before the war, patients from Gaza made up around 40 per cent of our total admissions,” Dr Farhoud said.

"Around 30 per cent came from the West Bank and another 30 per cent from Jerusalem itself. Now, patients from Gaza have been completely cut off, and the number of patients from the West Bank has dropped significantly due to increased road closures and military checkpoints.”

The situation is also challenging for staff. “Around 80 per cent of our medical team is from the West Bank,” he said. “They are also struggling to reach the hospital because of the same restrictions.”

Despite these hurdles, the hospital has a comprehensive strategy in place to upgrade services, reduce costs and increase income. “This support from the UAE leadership, people and government has a profound impact, not only on our hospital, but on the continued availability of quality health care for the Palestinian people,” Dr Farhoud added.

Al Makassed Hospital - in pictures

Fatma Ali, right, from Gaza, speaks with her mother in the obstetrics and gynaecology department at Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem. All photos: Corinna Kern for The National

Dr Adnan Farhoud is the director of the 270-bed hospital, which plays a key role in providing health services to the Palestinian community.

Nurse Jawaher Salah, right, with patient Fatma Ali.

Dr Hussam Abu Saa, head of the orthopaedic department at the hospital.

The UAE has pledged $64.5 million in aid for Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem after delivering $25m in support in 2022.

Nurse Wafaa Awad cares for a newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Health workers in the cardiac care unit of the hospital, which was established in 1968.

A nurse checks the temperature of a newborn baby.

Services provided at the hospital include include cardiology, orthopaedics, paediatric medicine and neurology, in addition to comprehensive general health care.

Anwar Baroud, chief nursing officer and hospital supervisor, tends to a patient from Gaza.

Nurses at work in the cardiac care unit of the hospital.

Dr Tareq Al Ameri, chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, said Al Makassed has played an important role in delivering quality health care to Palestinians.

"The UAE collaborates with international organisations and regional institutions to strengthen healthcare services in East Jerusalem, Gaza, and other priority areas," he said.

"Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem is a crucial medical facility, specialising in cardiac surgeries, paediatric and orthopaedic clinics, medical research and comprehensive healthcare services."

International effort

WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his organisation's gratitude for the UAE's humanitarian efforts. "WHO is grateful to the United Arab Emirates for its support of Al Makassed Hospital so that it can continue to provide essential care," he said.

"The UAE's support makes it possible for WHO to provide the hospital with much-needed medicines and supplies, scale up its medical imaging capacity, improve the obstetrics and gynaecology department, and help to train over 100 residents across 11 specialities."

Dr Omar Abu Zayda, director general at the hospital, praised the financial intervention of the UAE and its show of support for Palestinians.

"The UAE's unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian healthcare sector allows us to sustain our operations and fulfil our duties efficiently," he added.

"The UAE's backing means a great deal to us as Palestinians. Since its founding by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE has consistently stood by the Palestinian people, particularly in Jerusalem. We take pride in the UAE's firm, historic and ongoing stance in supporting Jerusalem's institutions and improving healthcare services, especially for women and children."

The death toll in Gaza since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, has now passed 50,000, with more than 113,000 people injured.

The UAE launched a humanitarian campaign in response to the outbreak of the conflict, called Operation Gallant Knight 3. More than 65,000 tonnes of humanitarian supplies have been delivered to the enclave, with about 600 aid flights, seven transport ships and nearly 3,500 lorries used to carry goods into the enclave from Egypt.

An aid flight operation has delivered more than 3,700 tonnes of supplies to inaccessible areas in Gaza.