95. Lindahl, C. Health in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: A Sector Review. Jerusalem: Diakonia, 1993: 68 pp.

This report describes the situation of the health sector in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the changes which it might undergo as a result of the future transition to Palestinian autonomy. The study is based on a four-week mission during May-June 1993, and includes results based on interviews, field visits and secondary research. The author compares OPT's health indicators with those of reference countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Jordan, Tunisia, Turkey and Israel. It is found that the territories spend a much higher percentage of GDP on health expenditures (9% compared to Jordan's 3.8%, for example). Also, the OPT has a greater number of PHC clinics than other reference countries. Overall, the main findings include the facts that: 1) there is an high and unsustainable level of health expenditure in the OPT; 2) the OPT have a pluralistic and unplanned health care system with dynamic and innovative features, as well as problems of waste, inefficiency and quality problems; 3) there is a strong controversy regarding the future directions of health care; and 4) there is a highly fragmented and uncoordinated aid flow into the sector. The final section includes a discussion about the future role of donors, particularly that of Swedish donors, in developing a viable health care system and other sectors in the OPT.