CAIRO, November 10, 2026 (WAFA) – The Council of Arab Ministers for Health has called on member states to maintain continuous support for the Palestinian health sector. The Council urged states to provide essential medicines, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid, while actively backing the recovery and reconstruction of Palestine's healthcare infrastructure.
In a resolution issued at the conclusion of its 65th ordinary session and the meeting of its Executive Bureau—held today, Tuesday, at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo under the chairmanship of Egyptian Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar—the Council also urged member states to secure medicines and medical treatments for chronic disease patients, with a specific focus on cancer patients and individuals undergoing dialysis.
Furthermore, the Council urged the international community to guarantee the unhindered flow of adequate humanitarian and medical assistance into the Palestinian territories. This includes the unrestricted entry of medicines, vaccines, fuel, medical equipment, and essential spare parts. The Council also emphasized the need to provide vital treatments for infectious diseases, particularly among children, enhance mental health and psychosocial support services for women and children, and scale up physical rehabilitation programs for persons with disabilities.
The Council further underscored the necessity of allocating $200,000 to cover the immediate medical and pharmaceutical needs of the Palestinian Ministry of Health. This emergency funding, distributed in coordination with Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population, will be drawn directly from the Arab Fund for Health Development.
Additionally, the Council affirmed its full support for ongoing recovery and reconstruction efforts in the healthcare sector, aiming to rebuild and rehabilitate destroyed health facilities across the Gaza Strip.
The Council also called on member states to support and strengthen efforts to evacuate patients, injured people and children requiring advanced medical care outside the Gaza Strip.
The Council also urged the immediate provision of financial assistance to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. This funding is critical to enable the Ministry to meet its financial obligations, clear accumulated debts, and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services to Palestinian citizens, including the procurement of essential medicines and medical supplies.
Furthermore, the Council affirmed its unwavering support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), emphasizing the need to strengthen its role, ensure the continuity of its operations, and secure necessary funding.
The delegation of the State of Palestine was headed by Minister of Health Maged Abu Ramadan, with the attendance of Palestine's Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Ambassador Mohannad Al-Aklouk, alongside Third Secretary Ola Amer and Secretary Alaa Al-Sharbati from the Permanent Delegation of Palestine to the Arab League.
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