RAMALLAH, March 9, 2026 (WAFA) —Health Minister Majid Abu Ramadan met on Monday with World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Palestine, Reinhilde Van de Weerdt, accompanied by her deputy, Shannon Barkley, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and joint coordination.

During the meeting in Ramallah, the minister assessed the state of the health sector in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, emphasizing the challenges it faces under the current circumstances, including a severe financial crisis that substantially hinders the provision of essential health services to the population.

He underscored the importance of collaboration with the WHO, highlighting the need to bolster and intensify international efforts to safeguard medical facilities and health personnel, and to uphold the right to health, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

The two sides also explored ways to support and strengthen the Palestinian health system, including enhancing the existing partnership with the WHO in areas such as health policy development, program support, and capacity building within the health sector.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of facilitating medical evacuations for patients from Gaza and ensuring their access to specialized treatment, particularly in hospitals across the West Bank, including private and community facilities.

For her part, the WHO representative in Palestine reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to sustaining support for the Palestinian health sector, collaborating with the Ministry of Health and international partners to enhance the system’s capacity and ensure the delivery of health services to the population.

T.R.