On August 1, 2017, Al Marsad – the Social and Economic Policies Monitor – held the Right to Health; Palestine 2030 Conference in the cities of Ramallah and Gaza, in which a vast group of researchers, medical professionals, academics, International and Palestinian organizations, and field experts from the Ministry of Health, Consulate General of Sweden Jerusalem, UNRWA, WHO, PHM/TWHA, MSF, MAP, and OHCHR participated. In addition to attendance that consisted of activists, researchers, and representatives from Palestinian universities, Palestinian civil society organizations, and International organizations operating in the sector.
Co-founder and Researcher of Al Marsad Iyad Riyahi stated in the opening session that this conference was held as part of Al Marsad continuous efforts, dialogues and meetings in the previous years to highlight the social and economic rights of Palestinians and the challenges that prevent them from realizing them.
Riyahi added that Palestinians have faced for decades prolonged violations practiced by military ruling, not to mention the attacks that directly targeted the Palestinian health sector and particularly health workers and facilities.
Moreover, Riyahi also greeted the hospitals and civil society associations in Jerusalem that handled hundreds of injuries during the wars on Gaza and the latest incidents in Jerusalem that included attacks on health workers and abduction of the wounded. He continued: “The scene of Israeli military forces invading the halls of Al Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem, practicing punitive measurements such as demolishing the only health clinic of Kobar village west Ramallah, in addition to the limitless violations that occurred during the wars on Gaza are evidence that the occupation doesn’t establish any sanctity for anything.
The conference brought up topics that tackle the reality of the Palestinian health sector and the Arab region, most importantly the contribution of relevant policies in realizing Right to Health, the roles and visions of the government and civil society to improve this sector and providing better services. Also, the conference addressed the budget cuts of the UNRWA and their impact on the quality health services and pharmaceuticals provided to Palestinian refugees, not to mention the health crisis in the Gaza Strip and particularly the drop in number of medical referrals – many participating voices in the conference demanded the government to neutralize health away from financial cuts and political upheaval.
Right to Health in Times of War was one of the important themes discussed in the conference. This session included presentations on the three wars on Gaza and, the wars on Yemen, Syria and Iraq, and the practices of occupation that obstruct access to health services and allow attacks on ambulances and health facilities. In addition to the urge to ensure the inclusion of Right to Health in Times of War concept in policy making, program designs and interventions of actors in the health sector. On the other hand the necessity to prosecuting occupation’s crimes internationally by filing complaints was also emphasized.
The closing session attempted to discuss Medical Malpractices by proposing a vision for a National Scheme for a Medical Malpractice Liability System. The panel speakers reached consensus regarding the critical need to develop a balanced system that equally takes patients and medical professionals into consideration.
Following the conference, Al Marsad held a special session to a group of international organizations operating in Palestine and abroad. The session included social, economic, and political context analysis.
Subsequently, an introductory tour was particularly arranged for a number of experts, researchers and international organizations representatives.
The tour included a visit to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah, in which the participants interactively discussed with medical professionals the main challenges faced in the sector. Another visit was conducted to the medical clinic and a disability based organization in Jalazoun refugee camp. A meeting was also held with the camp’s popular committee, in which the tour participants were briefed on the conditions of medical services in the camp.
Main conference recommendations:
To advocate for higher budget allocations for the health sector.
To ensure inclusion of Right to Health concept within the agendas, policies and programs of active role players in the sector, taking into the consideration the singularity of the Palestinian context.
Enhance the role of international aid and solidarity in realizing Right to Health and documenting the occupation’s violations.
In addition to the need to develop a national scheme for medical malpractice liability system and a comprehensive health insurance system.