مستشفى المقاصد مستشفى جمعية المقاصد الخيرية الإسلامية
2017 Witnesses the Opening & Expansion of Makassed Departments & the Joining of 11 New Specialists
Makassed’s Administration Praises the Government’s Statements in Support of East Jerusalem Hospitals
Jerusalem, June 28, 2017 – Makassed Islamic Charitable Society Hospital CEO Dr. Rafiq Husseini stated that the continuity of East Jerusalem hospitals is ensured by the distinction of the medical services they provide which is based on attracting the best medical, nursing and technical skills available, in addition to establishing new departments and units and developing the existing ones. He also praised the Palestinian government’s continued support of East Jerusalem hospitals through the referrals of patients from the West Bank and Gaza and the regular payment of financial dues resulting from these referrals in the past three months.
Dr. Husseini went on to enumerate the latest and most important developments taking place at Makassed and throughout its departments since the beginning of 2017: The inauguration of a kidney disease and dialysis unit, under the supervision of nephrology specialist Dr. Mohammed Al Borini and funded by Mr. Bader Kaloti; the development of the electroencephalography and electromyography unit under the supervision of neurologists Dr. Muti Al Ashhab and Dr. Anis Nasser, and funded by Mr. Nadim Gargour; the expansion of the departments of surgery and internal medicine under the supervision of Dr. Haitham Al Hassan, specialist in vascular surgery, and cardiologist Dr. Ezzedine Hussein, with funding from Mr. Samir Oweida; and the expansion and development of the Emergency Department under the supervision of Dr. Mazen Abu Ghurbiyyeh and funded by the Norwegian government through the Norwegian Aid Committee NORWAK, Mr. Sabih El Masri, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) and the Welfare Association.
Dr. Husseini also noted that since the beginning of 2017, the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Department, has expanded further under the supervision of Dr. Nizar Hijjeh, a specialist in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery, and with funding from the Malaysian government and the Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction (PECDAR). The Department is also being equipped with the support of the AFESD and the Welfare Association. As for the Neonatal Unit at Makassed, headed by neonatology specialist Dr. Hatem Khammash, it has been updated and equipped with the latest devices, and through funding from the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Relief Organisation in Canada. Meanwhile, the renovation of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, under the supervision of OB/GYN specialist Dr. Saadah Jaber, and of the Department of Pediatrics, under the charge of pediatrician Dr. Bassam Abu Libdeh, is being funded by the Canadian Red Cross.
Dr. Husseini pointed to the establishment and development of a genetic testing laboratory managed by Dr. Bassam Abu Libdeh, with funding from the AFESD and under the supervision of the Welfare Association; in addition to the creation of two operating rooms for brain and neurosurgery, funded by the Saudi Fund, the AFESD and the OPEC Fund for International Development through the United Nations Development Programme. Finally, a number of patients’ rooms have been overhauled and renovated with the support of many Palestinian benefactors at home and abroad.
Dr. Husseini mentioned that eleven medical professionals were recruited to work at Makassed Hospital: Dr. Ibrahim El Zaghl, interventional radiology specialist; Dr. Mohammed Al Khawaja, a specialist in mental illness and disorders; Dr. Abdul Hakim Dia
, cardiac surgery and endoscopic heart valve replacement and repair specialist; Dr. Mohammed Al Borini, a nephrologist; Dr. Rabea Adwan, contagious and infectious diseases specialist; Dr. Firas Abu Akr, endoscopic thoracic surgery specialist; Dr. Nader Abdul Rahman, specialist in adult lung desease, intensive care and sleep disorders; pediatric cardiologist Dr. Mohammed Abu Taqa; Dr. Bashar Jabir, specialist in colorectal surgery; pediatric rheumatologist Dr.Sima Abul Saud; and Dr. Mashhour Naasan OB/GYN and infertility specialist.
Dr. Husseini expressed his appreciation to Makassed’s donors and financial supporters, emphasizing that the need to develop and expand the Hospital’s various departments and to furnish them with the latest devices and equipment is still great in order for Makassed to continue to make qualitative strides in its medical services, which has characterized it throughout 50 years of providing the best for its Palestinian patients.
He went on to
describe some of the obstacles facing Makassed, namely, Israeli obstructions with regards to granting licenses to Palestinian doctors, the withdrawal of permits belonging to more than 20 doctors, nurses and technicians, in addition to some Israeli hospitals reducing the prices of their services in order to attract Palestinian patients from the West Bank and Gaza in the face of the intense competition with the qualitatively high medical services provided by Makassed and all other East Jerusalem hospitals.
In turn, the
Chairman of the Makassed Society Administrative Board Dr. Arafat Hidmi thanked the Palestinian government, represented by President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, for their continued interest in East Jerusalem hospitals and the positive role played by the ministers of health, finance and Jerusalem affairs in supporting these hospitals, primarily Makassed and Augusta Victoria. He noted that the transfer of the government’s monetary dues on a monthly basis represents the starting point in achieving financial stability.
He also welcomed the statement issued by Minister of Health Dr. Jawad Awwad, praising the performance of East Jerusalem hospitals and emphasizing the government’s commitment to support these hospitals as they represent an integral part of the Palestinian national health sector.
