Health care services are among the most important human rights.
The public has criticized the Palestinian health sector performance, especially since the outbreak of the Intifada.
First Aid services became of particular importance owing to the increasingly high number of wounded people requiring hospital service.
Hospitals and medical establishments throughout the Gaza Strip have had to cope with these increased needs.
attended by 45 persons Guest speakers Dr.
Muhammad Salama, General Director of the emergency services in the Ministry of Health.
Mr.
Akram Abu Khusa, Deputy Director of the Medical Relief Committees in the Gaza Strip.
Summary of issues raised by the public Participants talked about the following main points: The Palestinian Health sector showed a good reaction during the uprising, yet not enough.
There is an obvious shortage of physicians in the Gaza Strip.
Some clash points lack ambulance services.
The Ministry provides insufficient quantities of medicines at a time when the average family's income is decreasing.
Claims that the Ministry's means of determining who should receive medical treatment outside the OPTs is unjust.
Necessity of following up health of the injured after they leave hospital, especially as many have become disabled.
The Ministry's focus on emergency services at the expense of primary health care is wrong.
Summary of answers given by the guest speakers Israeli aggression in the last nine months caused major problems in the Palestinian health sector.
The responses of the Ministry and health NGO's was nonetheless satisfactory.
The Israeli policy of siege and closure restricts the health sector's ability to reach Palestinians who need medical assistance.
The coordination between the government and NGOs is excellent and necessary to guarantee the best health service.
The Ministry is forced to focus on ambulance services to save Palestinians, lives during clashes, but the main primary services, such as maternity and children,s, services, are also carried out properly.
The Ministry of Health and NGOs have developed an emergency plan in case the situation worsens.
The Ministry follows a strict system to decide the cases that deserve treatment abroad.
People have to contact a special department and inquire about their requests.
Some NGOs are conducting outreach programs to help people after hospital service, but these programs are insufficient.