November 18, 2009
Nablus, West Bank — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Palestinian Health Sector Reform and Development Project (Flagship Project) awarded seven Nablus community-based organizations subcontracts to improve health services in their communities.
For the past month, with Flagship Project support, Tallouza, Al-Nassaryeh, Deir El Hatab, Sabastiah, Al Bathan, Yasid, and Balata communities have been working with their local Ministry of Health clinics to identify their health needs—including diabetes, women’s health, environmental health, and maternal and child health—and develop plans to address these needs.
With the new funding, the community-based organizations serving these communities will be able to turn their plans into action through activities such as organizing community health days, open days, environmental days and trainings including community-based first aid. “We are very glad to be given the chance to implement activities that will benefit our community and raise awareness,” said Areej Al-Kayed, a member of the Women’s Committee for Social Works in Sabastya (Nablus Governorate).
The partnership between the Ministry of Health, Nablus Governorate and its communities, and USAID, has been underway for eight months. Last month, seven other communities—Huwwara, Beit Furik, Beit Dajan, Oreif, Burin, Bazzaria, and Al Sawyeh—were awarded subcontracts to implement activities that will improve health.
By building partnerships between communities and the Ministry of Health, health services will become better and more directly meet the needs of Palestinian citizens. The linkages between the Ministry and the communities are already showing real impact on the ground. “This is the first time I will be visiting the Ministry of Health clinic to get information and collaborate with them on improving the health of our community,” reported Adlah Al-Ji’an, a member of Balata Al-Balad Women’s Society, Balata (Nablus Governorate). The Flagship Project will continue supporting these partnerships in communities throughout Nablus and the rest of the West Bank.
USAID’s Flagship Project is a five-year, $86 million, health sector reform project which supports the Palestinian health sector in increasing the quality of health services at hospitals and clinics—including emergency and rehabilitation services—and in improving good governance and management practices of health institutions. The Flagship Project supports the Ministry of Health, NGO health sector, and communities promote healthier and safer behaviors within families and communities, including prevention of chronic diseases and injury, and promotion of maternal and child health care, water and sanitation, and women’s health. In addition, the Project provides essential medical equipment, supplies, and pharmaceuticals in support of Ministry of Health and NGO health facility needs. Through these initiatives, the Flagship Project is supporting the long-term development and sustainability of quality health care services that meets the Palestinian public’s needs.
Since 1994, USAID has provided more than $2.9 billion in U.S. economic assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza via projects designed to reduce poverty, improve health and education, build infrastructure, create jobs, and promote democracy and good governance. |
