RAMALLAH, June 28, 2018 (WAFA) – Very soon cancer patients from the Palestinian territories can benefit from a new modern diagnosis apparatus financed by Germany and the Islamic Development Bank, a press release said on Thursday.

In a ceremony attended by Peter Beerwerth, the German Representative in Ramallah, Hani Abu Diab, Special Advisor to the Islamic Development Bank, the CEO of the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem, Walid Nammour, and the representative of the Lutheran World Federation, Pauliina Parhiala, the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem received a PET/CT scanner which allows modern cancer diagnosis.

Peter Beerwerth praised the valuable work the hospital is doing, providing exemplary specialized medical care to Palestinians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

“I am delighted about the handover of the PET/CT scanner. With this specialized system, the hospital will significantly expand its diagnostical program and hereby both help cancer patients and improve cancer prevention,” he said. “Germany, thus, is very happy to contribute to the strengthening of the Palestinian health sector.”

August Victoria, managed by the Lutheran World Federation, is the first and only hospital to provide special therapies, especially for cancer patients, in the Palestinian territories. Here, about 1.800 patients are treated yearly.

The PET/CT system, which is a combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computerized tomography (CT), is not only able to exactly localize tumors, but also allows statements to be made on the characteristics of the tumor.

Germany contributed an amount of $1.2 million for this important diagnostic device. The Islamic Bank contributed some $400.000.

M.K.