December, 2008

You can barely find a Palestinian who is not familiar with the name “Rafidia Surgical Hospital”. The hospital is one of two major hospitals in Nablus City run and operated by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Established in 1976, Rafidia is the largest hospital in the Northern West Bank. It meets the health needs of thousands of Palestinians in the Northern West Bank through its major departments that include Operations Theaters, an ICU, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedic Surgery, Neurology, Urology, a Burn Unit, Radiology, Outpatient Clinics, and a major Emergency Department.

With a budget of $950,000, USAID enabled Rafidia hospital to provide better health services predominantly to poor Palestinian patients who cannot seek medical care elsewhere. The project at Rafidia hospital focused on the rehabilitation of the sewage system that was leaking through upper floors to patients’ rooms, as well as toilet units and restrooms throughout the hospital. “The rooms looked dark and smelled bad, this had negative influence on the patience and their ability to recover” said one nurse.

The project also added false ceilings to cover exposed water and medical gas pipes and to secure and protect main control valves throughout the hospital. All lighting fixtures where replaced in order to provide proper lighting and Main Electrical Distribution Boards also were replaced.

A major rehabilitation of walls, floors, electrical and mechanical installations in the Radiology Department was also completed, and to improve the well being of doctors working at the hospital, the project rehabilitated the internal dorm that hosts doctors from across the West Bank.

People of Nablus City see USAID’s contribution to the hospital as a “crucial” one. The Director of Rafidia Hospital, Dr. Khaled Saleh said, “USAID’s project is extremely important due to the fact that this is the largest referral hospital in the Northern West Bank, it has165 beds, and hence receives patients from all West Bank areas, including Middle and Southern West Bank Areas.”

Jamila, a Head Nurse at Rafidia hospital said, “Prior to USAID’s project, we used to work in patients’ rooms that had no door, some of them even had no windows.” She added, “Today, we as nurses have our own room where we can keep patients’ records in full privacy. Today, we work in rooms that have nice doors. Today, thanks to USAID, even each bed has a curtain that gives each and every patient the privacy that is needed on the bed of recovery.”

Checking on children and elderly people with a wide smile on her face, Jamila said “it is not only us who noticed the vital changes, but also patients and visitors of the hospital.” The renovation also raised the morale of workers at the hospital. Nurse Muna said, “After the completion of USAID’s project I feel that people started appreciating us more. My colleagues and I are very proud of this achievement.” Um Karam who was accompanying her 12 years sick daughter said, “I remember how the hospital looked. Today it gives you a feeling that you are in a private hospital, I can feel the difference in everything”.

USAID’s intervention in Rafidia is part of USAID’s commitment to boost the Palestinian health sector and to assist the Ministry of Health in performing its duties.