Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, a Palestinian Ministry of Health facility serving 325 thousand people, has witnessed dramatic rehabilitations over the past year that are improving its staff's abilities to provide quality health care services. USAID-funded upgrades have resulted in structural improvements, an increase in specialized services, and an overall advancement in health care services throughout the hospital.
In 2009, the Palestinian Ministry of Health designated Rafidia Hospital as the premier hospital in the northern West Bank for pediatric and neonatal care, requiring physical expansion and upgrades to the entire facility. The hospital's director of medical affairs, Dr. Wael Sadeqah, observed that USAID's involvement has created a double impact of change. "It was not so long ago that we had rain water seeping in from the roof during operations…we had a deficiency even filling subspecialty positions because of the conditions of the hospital and a lack of funding." In response, USAID's Emergency Water and Sanitation and Other Infrastructure Project made essential structural repairs to the hospital, while USAID's Palestinian Health Sector Reform and Development Project performed ongoing interventions in procurement, training, emergency services, and pediatric care. This involvement is ongoing and now includes pilot implementation of a comprehensive national health information system.
USAID supported the development of the pediatric and neonatal departments by procuring vital equipment and training staff on proper use and preventative maintenance. USAID is also providing consultants in pediatric and emergency medicine who work directly with staff to provide on-the-job coaching and mentoring. An ICU monitoring system, a 16-slice CT scanner, infant incubators, an ECG machine, orthopedic surgical equipment, and an anesthesia machine are among the procured equipment that benefits a cross-section of departments.
Dr. Farid Abu Layel, head of the new ICU department, explained how USAID’s involvement at Rafidia Hospital benefits both patients and staff: “We did not have the tools we needed before—not the space, nor the medical equipment. Thanks to USAID, we are now able to meet international standards in giving care to patients.”
Photo by: Project Staff.
Nurses treat a critical case in the new ICU at Rafidia Hospital. A new ICU monitoring system was part of the $1.7 million of equipment procured by USAID for the hospital; these nurses received training on use and maintenance of this life-saving equipment.
"We are working together to improve the quality of medicine. Our staff are more confident in their work, and this new confidence is creating a bridge between the public and us." — Dr. Wael Sadeqah, Director of Medical Affairs at Rafidia Hospital
