Canadian funding to ease medical crisis in Palestinian Territories
Lutherans in Canada support first geriatric care centre in West Bank
BACKGROUND
Canada, the United Nations and partners
Working with its partners and through the United Nations, its agencies and other organizations, Canada continues to support and respond to the humanitarian and development needs of the Palestinian people. In 2006-2007, Canada contributed close to $40 million in assistance to the Palestinian people, delivered through international organizations such as the United Nations.
Canada is committed to easing the medical crisis among the Palestinian population. With CIDA’s commitment to support the mounting health care needs among the Palestinian population, the Canadian government joins the number of foreign governments who have instead chosen to lend support through alternate channels.
Support from Lutherans in Canada
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) initiated this call for aid following the health care crisis created by the international embargo blocking funds to Palestinian authorities after the election of Hamas in January 2006.
After committing USD $60,000 for immediate relief in April 2006, the two partners have together encouraged both provincial and federal governments as well as members of the church and the general public to provide additional financial support for the provision of medical treatment among the Palestinian population.
“This support is very timely for the Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH),” says Robert Granke, CLWR executive director. “The improvements and expansion will enhance the capacity of the hospital to provide valuable services to Palestinians, including elderly patients and their families. The ELCIC and CLWR are pleased to receive this tangible support from the Government of Canada in response to the ongoing health care needs in the region.”
“We are very pleased with this development,” says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. “This contribution will help provide much needed assistance to the region. We are grateful for our partnership with CLWR and, through them, with CIDA, for helping make this possible.”
The sub-acute geriatric care unit
AVH was the first to develop expertise in geriatric care, engaging the services of a geriatrician and expert staff who resided in the hospital and trained a full range of Palestinian nurses and paramedical professionals like physical, respiratory and occupational therapists in this new geriatric specialty
Since inception in 1998, the sub-acute care unit has recorded a 90 percent-plus utilization. With an overwhelming demand for beds, at any given time at least five people are on a waiting list. The average length of stay was 184.41 days. In 2006, 29 patients were admitted.
This specialized geriatric care centre is a refuge for elderly Palestinian men and women who need more care than they can receive at home. Victims of cerebral-vascular accident (stroke), those needing to be fed by nasogastric tube, renal dialysis, cancer treatment and sufferers of chronic pain are patients. In the AVH geriatric ward elderly patients find a level of hygiene not available elsewhere, and enjoy a high degree of personal dignity afforded to them by specialized staff. The reduction of stress in families who cannot care for their loved ones at home is immeasurable.
The Palestinian Population
In the past decade demographic changes in the Palestinian population have led to a need for increased geriatric care. Between 3.1 and 3.5 percent of a population of more than 3.6 million are 65 or older. Given the high rates of urbanization resulting in a population shift, the nuclear family is replacing the traditional extended family in which the elderly received care. In an urbanized nuclear family that needs two salaries to sustain itself there is nobody in the house to take care of an elderly parent who requires specialized health care. As a result, there is a greater demand for specialized geriatric services which is largely unmet.
For more information please contact:
Daranne Harris, Director of Communications and Education
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR)
204.631.0504 office
204.612.0886 cell
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