99. Nammari, R. Hospitals and their Problems in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Brussels: Presented at ECCP-NENGOOT Conference, 1992: 4 pp.
The author describes the obstacles imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on hospital development in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The heavy patient loads on non-governmental hospitals, especially Makassed hospital in Jerusalem, is caused by the fact that only 20% of the population are enrolled in the government health insurance scheme and can utilize services provided by governmental hospitals. Poor services are offered by the government hospitals mainly as a result of budgetary constraints.
Suggestions made by the author toward improving the conditions of Palestinian hospitals include ensuring secure funding and coordination between hospitals, providing medical education for hospital personnel, improving medical specialties and diagnostic facilities and establishing a medical school.
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100. 'Odeh, J. Health Conditions and Medical Care. Journal of Refugee Studies 1989; 2, 1: 70-74.
This paper criticizes the Israeli Government's position concerning health in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and characterizes health services and standards as unacceptable. The indicators used to support the argument of the paper are infant mortality, physicians/ population ratio and the Israeli military budgets on hospital beds per capita. The UPMRC is then described as a local response to these and other problems.
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101. Palestine Liberation Organization. Health Conditions of the Arab Population in the Occupied Arab Territories, Including Palestine, 1981. Geneva: Presented to the Thirty-fourth World Health Assembly, 1981: 36 pp.
The report presented by the permanent observer of the Palestine Liberation Organization comprises a description of the general socioeconomic and health conditions in the Occupied Territories. Section one of the report touches on issues including land seizure and confiscation of water resources by the Israeli authorities, agricultural conditions, and education. Section two is dedicated to describing the health conditions and health services in the Occupied Territories including curative and preventative services, planning and budgets and health insurance. Section three provides an account of the health conditions of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
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102. Palestine Liberation Organization. Health Conditions of the Arab Population in the Occupied Arab Territories, Including Palestine, 1982. Geneva: Presented to the Thirty-Fifth World Health Assembly, 1982: 37 pp.
A report submitted by the Palestine Liberation Organization to the thirty-fifth world health assembly. The report comprises an account of the general socioeconomic conditions of the Palestinian population in the Occupied Territories. The discussion of health conditions and health services in the area includes health policy, planning and budgets, administration of health services and a short analysis of the health situation in the area. A comparison between Israeli health structures and those available in the Occupied Territories is also presented together with a brief description of health manpower in the area.
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103. Palestine Red Crescent Society. Report of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to the World Health Organization on the Health and Social Conditions of the Palestinian People in the Occupied Territories, 1986. Geneva: WHO, 1986.
A PLO/PRCS critique of Israeli health policy is presented. It is concluded that: occupation is the fundamental obstacle to health development. It is argued that official Israeli figures are calculated to deceive and obscure and that any scientific analysis of Israeli figures would show them to be unrealistic, aiming to improve Israel's image. The report indicates that health provision shows patterns of regional variation, and is particularly low in Jenin, Jericho and Tulkarm. The authors argue that Israeli policies of closing hospitals are intended to incite Palestinian emigration and that Israel has impeded coordinated development efforts of integrated health services. The authors note that a Palestinian study has shown an infant mortality rate of over 100/1000 live births, high prevalence of easily preventable diseases, unsystematic health education activities and inadequate MCH services. The authors also indicate that rural drinking water is polluted and that the health budget has been cut for the West Bank and Gaza and external assistance has been impeded by Israel.
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104. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The Community Survey For 1994: Main Findings. Ramallah: PCBS, 1995. 156 pp.
In Arabic only.This report presents the main findings of a community survey aimed at building an updated database on the Palestinian communities. The study consists of two parts: the first presents the basic characteristics of the surveyed communities, while the second represents a database on the communities in terms of local authorities, services, facilities, infrastructure, main problems and economic activities. The total number of communities was found to be 534 communities. The main sources of income during 1994 were employment and agriculture. Shortage of services provided by local authorities is evident. However, the report presents the data with no attempt to provide critical analysis.
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105. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Health Statistics in the West Bank and Gaza Strip - Current Status Report Series (no. 4). Ramallah: PCBS, 1995: 192 pp.
In Arabic and English.This report examines health statistics for the West Bank and Gaza Strip available from different sources, including Israeli statistics, studies conducted at the national level and UNRWA reports. Statistics examined pertain to population, vital statistics, health care services, health conditions and health expenditures. Suggestions presented in the report call for 1) reporting basic data to MOH and standardizing the reporting system; 2) establishing national registers on causes of death, major diseases and services on the primary health care level; 3) establishing a coordination committee for health statistics; and 4) conducting health surveys.
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106. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Press Conference on Health Survey Results. Ramallah: PCBS, 1996: 15 pp.
In Arabic and English.In this press release, PCBS presents a summary of its health survey findings. Tables are presented including data about health insurance, disability, breast feeding patterns, family planning, childhood injuries, nutritional status of children, and childhood immunization. A list of the bureau’s publications is also given.
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107. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The Health Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip: Main Findings. Ramallah: PCBS, 1997: 263 pp.
In Arabic and English.This survey presents baseline data on general health indicators with an emphasis on the health of mothers and children under five years of age. Its purpose was also to monitor progress in achieving goals set by the World Summit for Children. The survey is relevant as a tool used to evaluate health and family planning programs, and to support dissemination and utilization of the results in planning and managing health and family planning programs. Collected data in this report is based on a sub-sample of the Demographic Survey from which a stratified multistage sampling design was used for selecting the surveyed households. The total sample size was 3934. Findings indicate, among general health indicators, that about 61.5% of respondents reported having some sort of health insurance in the Palestinian Territories. Of the sample surveyed, 21.8% of people 14 years and above are smokers. The prevalence of disability was approximately 2054.6 per 100,000. Results on women's reproductive health show that of women currently pregnant, 80.5% reported receiving some ante-natal care during pregnancy. Ninety-six percent of children born in the previous five years have been breast fed at some point in time. Of the ever-married women surveyed, 99.5% knew about some kind of family planning method. Various data on child health is also presented including data on accidents, diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, immunization, nutritional status and Vitamin A/D. The report also includes a detailed description of the methodology used and data limitations.
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108. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Health Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, 1996: Regional Report Series No. 1: North West Bank Region. Ramallah, 1998: 96 pp.
In Arabic and English.This is a report on the health status survey of the Palestinian population in the North West Bank region. The report consists of three chapters. The first chapter presents the survey objectives and report structure. The second chapter describes the main findings and the third chapter describes the methodology, questionnaire, sampling design, and data processing. The sample of this survey is a sub-sample of the demographic survey. It was carried out through a stratified multi-stage sampling design, a sample of localities, followed by a selection of cells, and finally selection of households within cells. Results of the survey provide baseline data on health indicators such as health insurance, smoking, disability, reproductive and child health. The questionnaire used contained three sections, the household questionnaire, the women’s health/reproductive health, and the child health questionnaire. Findings of the survey indicate that 16.8% of the persons surveyed suffered from an unexpected illness or injury in the two weeks prior to the survey. With respect to children under five years of age, 14.5% were reported to have had a diarrhea episode and 28.3% were reported to have had a respiratory infection. The total smoking rate for the 14 years and above included in the sample was (23.9%); (44.8%) among males and (2.2%) among females. The findings also indicate that 71.9% of ever-married women have used modern contraception methods, with the IUD the most commonly used (24.4%).
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109. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Health Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, 1996: Regional Report Series No. 2: Central West Bank Region. Ramallah 1998: 94 pp.
In Arabic and English.This report covers the outcome of the Palestinian Health Status Survey in the Central West Bank region. The report consists of four chapters. The first chapter presents the survey objectives and report structure; the second chapter describes the main findings of the survey; the third chapter discusses the methodology used, and the fourth includes an assessment of the survey and data reliability. The main objective of the survey is to provide baseline data on health indicators in the West Bank such as health insurance, smoking, reproductive and child health. This information supports long term planning, surveillance and capacity building within the Central Bureau of Statistics. In the Central West Bank, 12% of the surveyed persons reported to have suffered from an unexpected illness of injury in the two weeks prior to the survey. With respect to health insurance coverage, 66.5% of the people surveyed were covered by some sort of health insurance. The survey results indicated that 23.4% of the population over 14 years of age in the Central West Bank smoke cigarettes, 40.4% among males, and 5.8% among females. About 95% of births in the Central West Bank took place at a health institution, mostly in government hospitals. Breast-feeding was found to be highly prevalent at a rate of 95.7%; 78.5% of ever married women have used some form of contraception, with the IUD being the most commonly used method. The total number of children under five years of age who had a diarrhea episode or a respiratory infection in the two weeks preceding the survey were 13.4% and 26.2%, respectively. The percentage of Central West Bank children under five years of age whose immunization cards were reviewed was 71.8%.
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110. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Health Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, 1996: Regional Report Series No. 3: South West Bank Region. Ramallah 1998: 94 pp.
In Arabic and English.This is the third report on the Palestinian Health Status Survey by region, covering the South of the West Bank. The purpose of the survey and data collection was to facilitate the assessment and monitoring of Palestinian health, and to support capacity building within the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics in the areas of planning, surveillance and monitoring. In four chapters, the report covers the survey objectives and structure, methodology, main findings and an assessment of data reliability. In the South region of the West Bank, 13.8% of the persons surveyed reported to have suffered from an unexpected illness or injury in the two weeks prior to the survey, and 41.3% of the persons surveyed reported having health insurance coverage. In the South West Bank region, 21.7% of the population 14 years and above smoke, 40.5% of males and 1.3% of females. About 79.5% of birth deliveries in South of the West Bank occurred in medical institutions, more in private hospitals compared with government ones. Of all children born in the five years preceding the survey, 94.6% had been breast fed at some stage. The findings indicate that 58.8% of ever married women have used some form of contraception. With respect to child health, the percentage of South West Bank children under five years of age who reported to have had a diarrhea episode or a respiratory infection in the two weeks preceding the survey was 15.5% and 26.4%, respectively. The report concludes with an overview of the survey methodology and data quality.
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111. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Health Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, 1996: Regional Report Series No. 4: Gaza Strip Region. Ramallah 1998: 102 pp.
In Arabic and English.This is the fourth regional report on the Palestinian Health Status Survey, covering the Gaza Strip region. The purpose of the survey and data collection was to facilitate the assessment and monitoring of Palestinian health, and to support capacity building within the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics in the areas of planning, surveillance and monitoring. In four chapters, the report covers the survey objectives and structure, methodology, main findings and an assessment of data reliability. In the Gaza Strip, 76.8% of the persons surveyed reported to have health insurance, 41.8% having government insurance and 30.7% being covered by UNRWA. The findings indicate that 35.0% of the males 14 years and older in the Gaza Strip smoke. Breast-feeding was found to be highly prevalent in the Gaza Strip where 97% of the children born in the five years preceding the survey were breast fed at some stage. Of the total children under five years of age, 11.4% were reported to have had a diarrhea episode and 20.3% were reported to have had a respiratory infection in the two weeks preceding the survey. The findings indicate that 53% of ever-married women have used contraception, with IUD being the most commonly used method.
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112. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Secondary Health Care Statistics in the Palestinian Territories, 1996-1997. Ramallah 1999: 60 pp.
In Arabic and English.This report provides data on hospital distribution, hospital activities and other secondary health-related indicators. The report presents statistics on inpatient as well as outpatient and emergency clinic activities. The report was prepared by using available data from quarterly released reports of the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the data producer in the non-governmental health sector. It contains tabulated data on admissions, discharges, services provided, and mean duration of stay, as well as statistics on outpatient and emergency services. The purpose of the report is to present a clear picture of the conditions of hospitals in the Palestinian territories and to provide policy makers with the necessary information for planning and development. There are 43 hospitals in the Palestinian Territories, 37 in the West Bank and 6 in the Gaza Strip. In terms of affiliation 9 hospitals in the West Bank are governmental and 28 are non-governmental. In the Gaza Strip, with the exception of one, all hospitals are governmental. In the West Bank, the hospital bed occupancy rate for 1997 was 74.2% and the mean duration of stay was 4.0 days. The hospital bed occupancy in the Gaza Strip was 84.2% and the mean duration of stay was 3.1 days. The report also covers rates of hospitalization, discharge and bed occupancy for psychiatric hospitals and surgical clinics in the Palestinian Territories.
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113. Palestinian National Authority, Ministry of Health. Achievements of the Ministry of Health in the Second Half of 1994 under the Palestinian National Authority. Ramallah: Palestinian National Authority, 1994: 55 pp.
In Arabic only.This paper presents a brief illustration of activities and achievements of MOH in the first sixth months following the transfer of responsibility for health to the Palestinian Authority. A description of the activities and plans of a number of newly established units is included. Among these are the Health Education Unit, the School Health Unit, the Epidemiology Unit, and the Family Planning and Protection Unit. The focus on planning and research is emphasized through the description of the formation of a special directorate for research, planning and development. Information presented pertains other MOH structures and activities, such as referrals, health insurance and rehabilitation. Information on a number of governmental hospitals in Gaza is also provided.
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114. Palestinian National Authority, Ministry of Health. The Status of Health in Palestine: Annual Report 1996, Palestine. Health Research and Planning Directorate, Statistics and Information Department, 1997: 63 pages.
This is the second annual report on the status of health in the areas under Palestinian authority both in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The report presents a combination of both determinants of health status of the Palestinian population, as well as a synopsis of recent developments, policies and services in the Palestinian health system for 1996. The report contains an overview of demographic and socioeconomic trends of the population in addition to an outline of the health services available in the areas of maternal and child health, immunization, other preventive and environmental health issues. It also outlines efforts made by the ministry of health to develop human resource, technical, and physical infrastructure, as well as a sketch of current and future plans for developing health policies and strategies, a health information system, and research planning. The report finally summarizes some of the most important determinants of health status such as life expectancy, mortality rates, and morbidity. Some of the rates reported for 1996 are as follows: Life expectancy is 69 years for males and 71 years for females. Infant death rates are 22.7 per thousand in the Gaza Strip and 10.2 per thousand for the West Bank. Most infant deaths were due to respiratory illnesses, congenital malformations, and premature delivery. The four leading causes of death for the 60+ age group were cerebrovascular disease (17.2%), ischemic heart disease (15.3%), senility (14.9%) and malignancy (9%). The leading cause of death among the 20 to 59 age group was malignancy (20.8%). The report acknowledges the fact that to date reliable data on morbidity and life style health behaviors such as smoking, nutrition and physical activity, is lacking due to an inadequate reporting system and a paucity of research.
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115. Palestinian National Authority, Ministry of Health. The Status of Health in Palestine: Annual Report 1997, Palestine. Health Research, Planning and Development Directorate, 1998: 99 pages.
This annual report provides an overview of the health care sector and determinants of health status of the population under the Palestinian National Authority in 1997. The report describes some important population trends such as a decrease in population growth (from 5.2% in 1994 to 3.1% in 1997), and a decrease in fertility rate (from 7.4 births per woman in 1993 compared to 6.0 births per woman in 1997). The report also reviews recent trends in the Palestinian health care system such as developments in health resources, financial expenditures, physical infrastructure, health policies and strategies, and health research and planning. Included in the report is also a brief outline of health service activities that are carried out by the ministry of health, either solely or in conjunction with other local or international organizations. Efforts are being made to standardize a database and a reporting system in Palestine in order to overcome existing problems such as lack of consistency and underreporting. For 1997, the life expectancy was 69 years for males and 71 years for females. Infant death rates were reported at 20.1 per thousand for the Gaza Strip and 12.6 per thousand for the West Bank. The three leading causes of death for the 20 to 59 age group were malignancy, ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, while the major cause of death for the 60+ age group was cerebrovascular disease. Great efforts have been accomplished in the field of control and surveillance of infectious diseases in spite of problems in under-diagnosis and underreporting. In 1997, an outbreak of viral meningitis occurred in the Palestinian districts. The report finally describes the implementation of hospital discharge information system, which is planned to include an epidemiological reporting and monitoring of diseases according to the international classification system (ICD10).
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116. Palestinian National Authority: Ministry of Health. Annual Statistical Report 1998, West Bank Provinces. Health Research, Planning and Development Directorate. Information and Statistics Department, 1998: 101 pages.
In Arabic and English.This document provides essential information regarding health status and the provision of health services for 1997-1998. The report is a collection of tables and graphs on demographic and health related statistics pertaining to the ten West Bank provinces: Jerusalem, Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqiliah, Salfit, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jericho, and Hebron. The document reports live births and death, as well as leading causes of death according to the international classification of diseases system (ICD-10). Diseases of the circulatory system were the most commonly reported as a cause of death, followed by acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular diseases, and heart failure. With respect to malignancies, most deaths were due to malignant neoplasms of the digestive system (143 cases) followed by malignant neoplasms of the respiratory system (106 cases). The document also contains information on the number of visits to government hospitals, diabetes clinics, maternal and child health care centers. It also provides statistics on immunization coverage for children as well as reported cases of communicable diseases. The document contains extensive statistics on government as well as non-government hospitals in the ten West Bank provinces in terms of hospital distribution, bed capacity, services and utilization indicators. Finally, it contains statistics on health insurance coverage as well as referrals for medical consultation or treatment abroad.
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117. Palestinian National Authority and Italian Cooperation. Towards Comprehensive School Health. Proceedings of the First Palestinian National Conference, Palestine, 16-17 December 1996: 42 pp.
In Arabic and English.This report presents the proceedings of a national conference on school health, attended by representatives from MOH, MOE, UNRWA and NGOs. The aim of the conference was to review the current state of school health services in Palestine and to make recommendations for further improvement of school health practices and policies. At the end of the report, a list of major constraints and needs is presented in terms of medical services, health promotion and environment components. The creation of a school health national committee is proposed.
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118. Planning and Research Center. Fact Sheets on the Health Status in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Jerusalem: PRC, 1991: 9 pp.
This short document presents a breakdown of the refugee population in the West Bank and Gaza Strip by several categories. These include the districts and camps, comparisons of health statistics in Israel with those in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the hospital bed ratio by district, the health centers by providers, the inventory of human resources and facilities in hospitals, and maps of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
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119. Planning and Research Center. Health Status in the Gaza Strip. Excerpts submitted by Dr. Zakaria Al-Agha to the European NGO Conference in the Occupied Territories, July 5-7, 1991, 21 pp.
Some background information about the Gaza Strip is presented. Health services and institutions in the Gaza Strip are listed (excluding the private sector). Health human resources are outlined together with some indices of health. Deficiencies in medical equipment and personnel are pointed out and an outline of the required role of the NGO sector in the Occupied Territories is presented.
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120. Planning and Research Center. Fact Sheet: Facts and Figures on Palestinian Health Services. Information Paper Number 1. Jerusalem: PRC, Information Department, 1993: 26 pp.
Data and figures in this publication pertain to the demographic characteristics of the West Bank and Gaza population, the primary and secondary health care services, blood bank services, dental services, laboratory facilities, rehabilitation services, ambulance services, human resources and nursing education facilities.
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121. Planning and Research Center. Fact Sheet: Facts and Figures on Health Services in the OPT. Issue No 3. Jerusalem: PRC, Information Department, 1994: 66 pp.
Similar to the previous PRC fact sheets, data figures are presented in terms of demography and different types of health services. This issue includes more detailed sections on secondary health care and human resource distribution, in addition to a new section on financing health care services for the year 1991.
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122. Planning and Research Center. The Human Resources Survey in Health. Interim Report No. 3. Directory of Health Professionals. Planning and Research Center, 1994.
In Arabic only.A directory in Arabic of health professionals in the Occupied Territories is presented. It is estimated that the directory covers about 80% of the health work force. A directory of major health institutions working in the Occupied Territories is also presented.
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123. Planning Research Center. The Palestinian Health Services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip: Facts and Figures. Jerusalem: PRC, 1994: 72 pp.
The Palestine Council of Health (PCH), the Planning and Research Centre (PRC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborated to compile this profile on health services in Palestine. The publication is divided into districts within the West Bank and Gaza Strip following an introduction including information on Palestine's health system, geography, and population. The districts are Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem, Ramallah, Jerusalem, Jericho, Bethlehem, Hebron, Gaza North, Gaza City, Gaza Mid, Khan Younis, and Rafah. Information for each district includes data on the hospitals and primary care facilities within the district. The statistics listed range from staff and specialties to numbers of hospital beds and resources.
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124. Planning and Research Center. Primary Health Care Services in the Gaza Strip: Facts and Figures. Jerusalem: PRC, 1994: 27 pp.
According to the authors, the report is the first of its kind to provide detailed data on primary health care (PHC) services found in the Gaza Strip. The report starts with a general description of demographic indicators in the Gaza Strip. This is followed by information on the number of PHC clinics by provider, location and type of services. Information is also given on the number of specialized services by district and provider, and PHC personnel by district and provider.
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125. Reiss, N. The Health Care of the Arabs in Israel. International Center for Peace in the Middle East, 1991: 212 pages.
Throughout the last century, adverse political and social conditions affected the health status of the Palestinian population. This study examines the origins, development and changes in Western health care in Palestine during the 19th century and describes the implications of successive political regimes in Palestine, ending with Israeli occupation, on health conditions of the indigenous Palestinian population. This research study is based on interviews with persons active in the provision of health care, observations of health facilities in both Palestinian and Jewish communities, as well as a review of published and unpublished material. The research was motivated by the assumption that inequalities in the provision of public services including health services in Israel should be remedied. The book contains six chapters dealing with the subject matter comprehensively. The first chapter presents the origins of modern health services in Palestine in the latter half of the 19th century. The second chapter focuses on the implications of colonial rule during the British Mandate to the development of health services for Palestinians and Jews. Chapter three delineates the consequences of the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 on the health services available for the Palestinian population, and chapter four explains the role of the voluntary sick funds in providing health services to the majority of the Jewish and Palestinian populations. Chapter five deals with conditions that affect the availability of private and public health care for the Palestinian population. Chapter six finally offers statistical information providing an overall impression of health trends, which affect the Palestinian population in Israel.
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126. Roy, S. The Gaza Strip Survey. Jerusalem: The West Bank Data Base Project, 1986: 17 pp.
The survey includes a critical review of health and health services in the Gaza Strip, taken mainly from secondary sources. Government annual per capita expenditure on health care is estimated at $30 compared with $350 inside Israel. There is a useful discussion (p.75) of the issue of taxation, showing that Israeli revenue from direct and indirect taxation is substantially in excess of public expenditure for the Gaza Strip. For 1985, the net revenue for Israel is estimated at 30-40 million dollars. The book contains much useful background information on the Gaza Strip.
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127. Smith, C. Health Development in the Gaza Strip: A Case for the Support of Local Groups. Birzeit: Birzeit University Community Health Unit, 1987: 13 pp.
Activities of health organizations in the Gaza Strip are summarized, including the government, UNRWA and local NGO sectors. Attention is drawn to the figures indicating that public expenditure by the government sector in Gaza is only half of the total income from taxation of the Gaza people. Restrictions on health development imposed by the military authorities are also discussed.
Finally the case is argued for the support of local Palestinian health organizations if an approach to primary health care which involves full participation of the local community is to be promoted.
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128. Smith, C., Barghouthi, M., Daibes, I. and Shbayta, A. The West Bank Rural PHC Survey. Interim Report 1: The Jenin Area. Ramallah: The Health Development Information Project, 1990: 46 pp.
The report comprises the first part of a survey of PHC services and facilities in the Occupied Territories. The principal goal of the survey is to provide information about the Palestinian PHC sector to improve planning, coordination and development.
Basic background information about the rural communities of the Jenin district is presented including population size, water and sanitation facilities, electricity supply and transportation services. Concerning health services distribution, the numbers of each type of clinic and PHC facility are presented. The services that the clinics provided are also presented in detail. A special section is dedicated to health manpower in the rural communities of the district. Some information about health services in Jenin town are outlined in the appendix.
The total rural population of the district was about 196,000 persons living in 70 communities. The public services in the district were far from being adequate; 23% of the population had 24-hour electricity and 30% of the communities had telephones. Ninety-nine rural clinics were identified and surveyed. In general the services that were provided by the clinics were poor and reflect poor planning and coordination between the PHC institutions. Thirty-eight percent of the rural clinics lacked soap and towels and 27% did not have sinks.
The main characteristic of this report is that it is solely based on field investigation where every community and every clinic were visited and assessed. Based on the field investigation, the authors outline a system for better PHC services distribution based on maximizing accessibility to services.
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129. Special Committee of Experts. Health Conditions of the Arab Population in the Occupied Arab Territories, Including Palestine. Report of the Special Committee of Experts appointed to study the health conditions of the population of the Occupied Territories, presented to the Thirty-fourth World Health Assembly, 1981: 17 pp.
A description of the demographic, socioeconomic and health conditions in the Occupied Territories is presented. Some improvement in certain health indicators is noted since 1967. The authors, however, suggest that "the sociopolitical situation existing in the Occupied Territories is favorable neither to the improvement of the state of health of the population concerned nor to the full development of services adapted to the promotion of human welfare." Problems facing the health service delivery system include the lack of medium or long-term planning, inadequate budgets and equipment, lack of specialized staff and staff training and shortage of certain drugs." A number of recommendations are suggested towards improving health services in the area.
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130. Special Committee of Experts. Health Conditions of the Arab Population in the Occupied Arab Territories, Including Palestine, 1982. Report of the Special Committee of Experts appointed to study the health conditions of the inhabitants of the occupied territories, presented to the Thirty-fifth World Health Assembly, 1982: 17 pp.
Similar to the previous report of the special committee of experts, it comprises a description of the demographic, socioeconomic and health conditions in the Occupied Territories. The same methods of data collection are used.
No fundamental changes in the socioeconomic conditions, health infrastructure and health manpower are noted since the committee's last visit in 1981. The committee concludes its report by suggesting a holistic approach to health development entailing the involvement of political action, involving other development sectors and assuring equitable distribution of health services.
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131. Special Committee of Experts. Health Conditions of the Arab Population in the Occupied Arab Territories, Including Palestine, 1983. Report of the Special Committee of Experts appointed to study the health conditions of the inhabitants of the occupied territories, presented to the Thirty-sixth World Health Assembly, 1983: 18 pp.
The report adopts the same format as previous ones by the committee of experts. No fundamental changes in the health care system in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are reported. In its conclusion, the committee suggests health problems and development should be placed in the context of overall development. Particular emphasis is placed on the necessity of preventative activities and services, and emphasizes mother and child health services.
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132. Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees. An Overview of Health Conditions and Services in the Israeli Occupied Territories. Jerusalem: UPMRC, 1987: 55 pp.
Selected indicators of health and health service provision are reviewed. Attention is drawn to the neglect of the PHC sector, the failure of the government health insurance program, the unequal distribution of health services and the absence of local coordination. The "duality" of modern and developing country disease patterns and the problem of dependency are discussed. Finally suggestions are made concerning policies for supporting the health sector.
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133. Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees. The Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees - Fifteen Years of Primary Health Care Development, 1979-1994. Jerusalem: UPMRC, 1995: 75 pp.
This report documents the UPMRC programs and activities in the area of primary health care in the West Bank ad Gaza Strip. The report presents an historical overview of the development of UPMRC as an independent grassroots health organization. Next, the major areas of UPMRC’s work are described, including volunteer activities, primary health care provision, training of community health workers, health promotion activities, and service provision in a number of specialized areas. The presentation of activities is supplemented with figures, maps and case studies.
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134. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Commissioner General, 1990. New York: UNRWA, United Nations, 1990: 66 pp.
The report reviews educational, health, social and relief services provided by UNRWA for refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Occupied Territories between July 1989 and June 1990.
A description of health services in the Occupied Territories includes emergency services, physiotherapy centers, hospitals and environmental health services. In the context of the Intifada in the Occupied Territories, the report comprises a brief account of the different health related activities of UNRWA and assistance provided to local health organizations.
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135. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Commissioner General, 1991. New York: UNRWA, United Nations, 1991: 59 pp.
The report reviews educational, health, social and relief services provided by UNRWA for refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza Strip between July 1990 and June 1991. A brief listing of UNRWA's health facilities in the Occupied Territories is presented together with the main health related activities and developments in the field of health.
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136. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Commissioner General, 1992. New York: UNRWA, United Nations, 1992: 68 pp.
The report reviews educational, health, social and relief services provided by UNRWA for refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza Strip between July 1991 and June 1992. UNRWA's health services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip were expanded by the establishment of new health centers, renovation of existing ones and extending working hours of clinics. Environmental health is still a priority for UNRWA.
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137. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Director of Health, 1986. Vienna: UNRWA, 1987: 52 pp.
A detailed review of the health activities of UNRWA is presented in this report. Services and achievements of UNRWA's health department include:
- Curative medical care services comprising in-patient and out-patient medical care, dental care, rehabilitation of physically disabled persons, laboratory and radiology diagnostic services.
- Preventative medical services include communicable disease control, maternal and child health, school health services, health education, health protection and promotion activities directed towards non-communicable disease control, mental health and health care for the elderly.
- Community health nursing programs.
- Environmental health services.
- Nutrition and supplementary feeding services.
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138. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Director of Health, 1987. Vienna: UNRWA, 1988: 53 pp.
The report describes health and health related activities carried out by UNRWA during 1987 including the emergency program launched as a response of the uprising. A description of the modes of operation, policies and achievements of UNRWA regarding curative and preventive medical care is presented together with a description of UNRWA's environmental health services and nutrition and supplementary feeding services. Detailed statistical data are presented about UNRWA's health related activities in all areas of operation.
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139. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Director of Health, 1988. Vienna: UNRWA, 1988: 62 pp.
This report is one of a series of reports that are produced annually by UNRWA describing the health services they provide. Subjects discussed in the report include emergency care in the Occupied Territories, curative and preventative services, nursing services, environmental health, nutrition and supplementary feeding services. The report contains detailed statistical information on the health status of the refugee population. In conclusion the report points to improved environmental sanitation, expanded coverage with MCH care, improving management of "modern" diseases (hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease), studying the option of a new hospital in Gaza, rationalization of the nutrition program, improving outpatient care and securing "real community participation".
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140. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Director of Health, 1989. Vienna: UNRWA, 1990.
This report presents an account of UNRWA activities during the period between July 1989 and June 1990 in the five areas of UNRWA activity. Concerning the occupied territories, the report describes the effects of the uprising and army violence on the different aspects of life of the population including education, health, social welfare and services.
The report states that the uprising and the counter actions taken by the Israeli authorities had detrimental effects on health services in the occupied territories. A detailed description is presented of UNRWA health care activities including emergency care, PHC and hospital services and environmental health.
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141. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Director of Health, 1991. Geneva: Presented to the Forty-fifth World Health Assembly, 1992: 37 pp.
The report describes staffing, organization, policies and budgeting of UNRWA's health department during 1991. An overview of the situation in the Occupied Territories during the forth year of the Intifada is presented. Violence, unrest and an economic recession are still the prevailing characteristics.
A detailed description of health and medical services provided by UNRWA and the improvements achieved during the previous year is presented. Orientation of nursing services to a wider context of community health replaced the traditional approach to nursing. As in previous years, minor improvements in environmental health services are noted.
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142. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Department of Health 1993. Amman, Jordan: UNRWA, 1994: 97 pp.
The report presents information on staffing, organization and budgeting of UNRWA during 1993. A special chapter presents an account of projects planned under the Peace Implementation Programme and coordination with Palestinian health authorities. The report focuses on successes in integrating special programs for control of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus, as well as achievements in the expanded program on immunization and maternal and child health program. Among these achievements was the introduction of family planning services as an integral part of mother and child health care program in all UNRWA health centers. Although the report emphasizes steps taken to improve the quality of care, it shows that quality is adversely affected by the high workload. The workload has not changed since 1992.
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143. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Department of Health, 1994. Amman, Jordan: UNRWA, 1995: 78 pp.
UNRWA’s annual report for 1994 covers a year in which major developments took place including the transfer of responsibility for the health care system in the Gaza Strip and West Bank from the Israeli Civil Administration to the Palestinian Authority. The document begins with a description of the overall management of UNRWA programs and personnel. Following this, a description of the health system infrastructure is presented including the construction and up-grading of health facilities completed and underway by UNRWA. Next the health in the Palestinian self-rule areas (the West Bank and Gaza Strip) are described. The constraints to health sector development and UNRWA’s future approach are delineated. The report also includes a review of UNRWA’s activities and accomplishments in medical care services, family health, disease prevention and control, health education, nursing services, and environmental health. Two annexes present the fellowships awarded and/or completed during 1994, and the senior staff in the Health Department.
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144. UNRWA. Fact Sheets. Gaza: UNRWA Public Information Office, 1995: 8 pp.
This document presents a number of fact sheets about the operations of UNRWA in Gaza. Subjects cover UNRWA activities and programs, numbers of registered refugees in Gaza Strip and general information on Gaza Strip refugee camps.
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145. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Department of Health 1995. Amman, Jordan: UNRWA, 1996: 77 pp.
This report presents an account of the UNRWA organization, its staffing and health services during 1995. Similar to previous UNRWA reports, it describes achievements and expansion in different fields, including oral health, laboratory services and environmental health. UNRWA's role in health in the West Bank and Gaza Strip during the transitional period is described. An emphasis is placed on the coordination efforts with the Palestinian Ministry of Health towards contributing to the process of creating an integrated national health system.
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146. UNRWA. Annual Report of the Department of Health, 1996. Amman, Jordan: UNRWA, 1997: 71 pp.
In this annual report, UNRWA describes the progress attained under each program component during the year. UNRWA’s activities in 1996 were undertaken under political, financial and operational constraints, such as the continued closures and a decrease in funding support. Despite such constraints, success was still achieved. In the program management section, the organization and staffing of the health department is discussed. The report documents achievements in further developing UNRWA’s health system infrastructure. Also included in the report are the usual description of UNRWA activities in the fields of medical care services, family health, disease prevention and control, health education and environmental health. The report concludes with two annexes. The first is especially useful to the reader in providing data on demographics, UNRWA health facilities and services, and health status.
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147. Vermund, S.H., Miller S.G., and Cohen, S.P. Health Status and Health Services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Institute for Middle East Peace and Development, 1985: 10 pp.
Four pieces of original research are presented, followed by a review of health status and services and a discussion of health policy. Chapter 1 presents a new demographic model for estimating infant mortality that yielded a 1982 IMR of 53-63 in the West Bank and 53-56 in the Gaza Strip. Chapter two presents a study of pediatric admissions to Caritas Baby Hospital. A third world pattern of morbidity is noted with gastrointestinal and respiratory infections being the main causes for admission. Case fatality for both prematurity and hypothermia were over 30%. Chapter three studies admission patterns at the Mount of David Orthopedic Hospital. Chapter 4 presents a survey of health consumers' attitudes in the Hebron area.
In conclusion the report concludes that health services were inadequate, in particular in relation to primary care. Attention is drawn to the inadequate hospital facilities, regional disparities, "drastic" shrinking of the budget of the government sector, the unattractiveness of the governmental health insurance scheme, constraints on the private sector, lack of targeting of health by major donor agencies, lack of regional cooperation and local emphasis on secondary and tertiary health care.
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148. WHO Collaborating Center in Health Manpower Development. Survey of the Human Resources for Health in the Government Hospitals on the West Bank. WHO Collaborating Center in Health Manpower Development, 1991: 34 pp.
The report comprises a survey of West Bank government hospital manpower which was carried out between July of 1989 and May of 1990. Eight government hospitals were surveyed. A total of 1072 medical and para-medical personnel practiced in these hospitals - 177 physicians, 460 nurses, 130 para-medical personnel and 137 administrative and other personnel.
Of the specialists who were surveyed 49.6% were recognized (accredited). Twenty-two nurses had BA degrees and 341 had diplomas. The average age of the hospital employees was 36.17 years. The staff/hospital bed ratio was 0.77/1. The overall occupancy rate was 62.1%. A detailed description of the personnel of each government hospital is presented in the report.
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