RAMALLAH, Saturday, April 28, 2019 (WAFA) – Minister of Health, Mai Alkaila, said today that efforts are underway to secure alternative hospitals in Jordan and Egypt for Palestinian patients, in the aftermath of the government’s decision to stop medical transfers to Israeli hospitals.

Alkaila told WAFA that the decision to stop transfers to Israeli hospitals will thus not affect the continued treatment of patients for diseases and specializations outside the capacity of the Palestinian hospitals, including those in Jerusalem.

She said significant improvements will be witnessed in the nationwide health system, including medical referrals to local private hospitals and to neighboring countries.

The Minister of Health added that the main objective of the Ministry is to localize health and medical services and attract qualified medical practitioners leading to safe and high quality health services.

Last month, the Ministry of Health decided to  stop medical transfers to Israeli hospitals, in line with the decision of the Palestinian leadership to define the relationship with Israel following Israel’s withholding of millions of dollars in tax revenue collected on behalf of the Palestinians.

In recent years, the Ministry of Health has been working to provide health service at home and minimize transfers abroad to a minimum, including transfers to Israeli hospitals.

M.N