Japan Helps Keep Hard-to-Reach Palestinian Children Healthy – UNICEF Press Release

RAMALLAH, 18 September 2017 –UNICEF handed over two new mobile clinics to the Ministry of Health thanks to a US $144,588 donation from the Government and people of Japan.

 These new “clinics on wheels” are equipped with all the medical devices needed to provide women and children with essential primary health care and nutrition services. A mobile team comprised of a doctor and a nurse will work in each of them in Areas B and C of the West Bank to provide 5,000 extremely vulnerable families who live in Bedouin and herding communities with basic health services.

“Improving the health care services is one of the most important priorities in the development process in Palestine. The Government of Japan was strongly active in developing the health sector in entire West Bank and Gaza,” said H.E. Mr. Takeshi Okubo, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to Palestine. The Government of Japan was and will always be supportive for the Palestinian government efforts in building public health facilities and preparing it with the most updated equipment and medical equipment in addition to training the specialized medical crew,” he added.

All the families living in these communities are at least one-hour drive from the nearest public health centre. They are located in remote, isolated areas in Masafer Yatta and the South Hebron Hills.

“We thanks Japan for its support in providing these two mobile clinics, and also UNICEF. These clinics will serve our people in very secluded areas where they do not have access to health services. They will provide local communities in Yatta and southern Hebron with the medical equipment and the health services which they need,” said H.E. Dr. Jawad Awaad, Minister of Health.

“We are grateful for Japan’s enduring commitment and generous support which will help improve every Palestinian child’s and mother’s access to health and nutrition,” said Ms. Genevieve Boutin, UNICEF State of Palestine Special Representative. “No matter how remote or vulnerable the community they live in, we will continue to work together with Japan and the Ministry of Health to make sure that no child is left behind.”

Japan has already supported UNICEF to provide the Ministry with two mobile clinics in 2012 and 2013; they now serve 8,000 families in North Hebron.

Ministry of Health staff supports the immunization, health and early development of children and their mothers. UNICEF complements this work by supporting improved quality maternal and child health and nutrition care, including the provision of essential lifesaving drugs, medical equipment and quality post-natal and neonatal health care services.

Japan has continued to generously support Palestinians since 1993 and has provided UNICEF with nearly USD 73 million for its work with Palestinian children during this time period, including grants for emergency relief work during rounds of armed conflict. Japan is among UNICEF’s top five government donors globally.