JERUSALEM, April 28,
2015 (WAFA) – Italian Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation Lapo Pistelli announced on Tuesday his government’s intention to
contribute €1.0 million to the cash flow problems facing East Jerusalem Hospitals.
The announcement came
during a meeting with the representatives of the six East Jerusalem Hospitals
(Makassed Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, Palestinian Red Crescent Society
(PRCS), St. John Eye Hospital, Augusta Victoria Hospital, Jerusalem Princess
Basma Center for Disabled Children).
The announcement took
place in the presence of Hugues Mingarelli, Managing Director for North Africa,
Middle East, Arabian Peninsula, Iran and Iraq of the European External Action
Service (EEAS), EU Representative John Gatt-Rutter and the Consul General of
Italy Davide La Cecilia.
'Italy has a long
history of cooperation with the Palestinian population in the health sector and
our country has been for many years the lead donor for health in Palestine, and
still holds this responsibility among the European Union Member States.
Therefore we are strongly committed in providing continuously support for the
development of the Palestinian health system' said Pistelli.
The contribution is part
of the Italian commitment in the Health Sector and will help, thus, to cover
part of outstanding costs of referrals of patients for treatment to East
Jerusalem Hospitals by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
With an overall
contribution of almost €40 million since 2012, the EU and its Members States
have supported referral costs for patients referred for treatment in East
Jerusalem Hospitals by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. By addressing this
severe debt problem, hospital facilities remained open and medical staff
continued working to provide much-needed specialized health services to
patients not only from Jerusalem but also from across West Bank and Gaza.
The contribution will be
channeled through the ad hoc PEGASE mechanism in close coordination with the
Palestinian Ministry of Finance and in line with the jointly agreed upon
criteria.
M.N/T.R
