Augusta Victoria Hospital inaugurates the Endoscopy unit and Kidney care unit in partnership with the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme
Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) yesterday inaugurated a newly established Endoscopy Unit and reopened its upgraded Adult Kidney Care Unit. This initiative is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen the capacity of East Jerusalem Hospitals Network. The event took place in the presence of the European Commissioner for Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica.
The refurbishment of the two medical units is an important step toward strengthening the hospital’s capacity to provide advanced diagnostic and treatment services, improving patient care, and ensuring Palestinian patients continue to receive quality specialised healthcare.
“The fruitful partnership with the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme has a positive impact on both the financial sustainability of the East Jerusalem Hospitals network and the support provided to the most vulnerable groups within Palestinian society, including patients, children, women, and older people. The Kidney Care Unit at Augusta Victoria Hospital is one of the leading specialized centres in the Palestinian health system, while the Endoscopy Unit meets the growing demand for diagnostic and treatment interventions for Palestinian patients,” said Dr. Fadi Atrash, Chief Executive Officer of Augusta Victoria Hospital and Secretary of the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network.
“This EU support is an important investment in strengthening the resilience of the health care system amid the challenging financial and political challenges. Through this partnership we reaffirm our commitment that patients continue to access high quality essential treatment. For years, the EU has supported East Jerusalem hospitals to preserve their long-standing work, this support will contribute to a more sustained health care delivery and will help ensure financial stability for East Jerusalem Hospitals. We call for the re-opening of crossings so that patients from Gaza can access the treatment they need at East Jerusalem Hospitals" said the European Union Representative Alexandre Stutzmann.
"This project represents a practical model of a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the resilience of the healthcare sector in East Jerusalem and ensuring the continuity of specialized healthcare services for Palestinians. Through this partnership with the European Union and the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network, UNDP continues to invest in initiatives that enhance the ability of health institutions to deliver more efficient and sustainable services, thereby safeguarding the right to health and improving the quality of life for current and future generations," said Ms. Margunn Indreboe Sheikh, Deputy Special Representative of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.
On the sidelines of the inauguration of the new Endoscopy Unit and the renovated Adult Kidney Care Unit, the European Union organized a recreational activity for children from Al-Israr School at Augusta Victoria Hospital, as well as child cancer survivors. The event underscored the importance of providing a supportive environment for sick children and promoting the psychosocial aspects that accompany their treatment journey.
Background:
The EU funded project “Strengthening the capacity of East Jerusalem Hospitals, to expand health care services and improve financial sustainability, with particular focus on Al Makassed Hospital and Augusta Victoria hospitals”, is implemented by the UNDP/ Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People. The project aims at improving access to quality specialized healthcare for Palestinians in West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza.
The project also reinforces the financial stability of the healthcare sector, notably the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network, through investments in the institutionalization and expansion of quality specialized care at Al Makassed Hospital and Augusta Victoria hospitals. This is being achieved through: 1) enhancing and upgrading surgical care at Al Makassed hospital; 2) Upgrading the kidney care centre; and 3) expanding cancer care at Augusta Victoria hospital through the establishment of a modern endoscopy unit.
