RAMALLAH, June 19, 2018 (WAFA) - Minister of Health Jawad Awad Monday met with Thomas Nader, Austrian Ambassador to Ireland and Director of Near and Middle East, Maghreb and Mashreq States, and briefed him on the latest developments in the Palestinian healthcare sector.

During a meeting which was also attended by Andrea Nasi, Austrian Representative in Ramallah, the health minister reviewed the obstacles suffered by the  healthcare sector, including Israeli occupation authorities’ attacks and their disastrous consequences on the citizens, the sick and the wounded.

The meeting also tackled achievements of the Ministry of Health at all levels, especially the construction of hospitals, medical centers and clinics, and providing them with the necessary medical equipments.

He stressed the need to pressure the Israeli government to end its practices against the healthcare sector and medical staff, to deter Israel’s violations of the rights of the sick to receive treatment and to stop Israel’s racist policies, including delaying and refusing to issue permits for patients referred by the Ministry of Health for treatment outside the Gaza Strip.

For his part, the Austrian Ambassador stressed that his visit aims to take a closer look at the health situation in Palestine. The ambassador said he will present a detailed report to the Austrian Foreign Ministry regarding the Palestinian health sector, based on observations and meetings with Palestinian officials, especially the Minister of Health.

T.R.