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Palestinian Municipality support for hospitals and medical staff in the fight against COVID-19
Overview
The idea of establishing a field hospital began after the Red Crescent presented an initiative of cooperation with Al-Bireh municipality, in response to the increasing number of cases and deaths caused by COVID-19, as well as tOverburdening of the government medical centres in the city at the level of Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate to meet the large demand for medical services. Out of a sense of social and humanitarian responsibility of the municipality and its constant effort to provide good services to its citizens in various fields, including public health. Ways of cooperation between the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and the municipality were studied, and it was agreed that the municipality would establish a field hospital, provided that cooperation from the Red Crescent crews would take place to manage and operate the hospital and provide medical equipment and medical staff for that, as well as cooperation with the Ministry of Health in order to ensure the transfer the patients according to the infection level.
After the field study, the halls of Al-Bireh Park were chosen to be the headquarters for the field hospital establishment. The first phase included preparing and equipping the first floor with an area of 670 square meters as a hospital and part of the lower ground floor as a medical laboratory for the hospital. If needed, the hospital is expanded and the number of beds increased.
Background
The first local council was established in Al-Bireh in 1923, headed by the late Eid Al-Musa, and the first municipal council was established by the Ministry of the Interior of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1951.The municipality enjoys administrative and financial autonomy. In its work, it is subject to the local government law and the regulations governing the work of local government bodies in Palestine. The municipality is managed by a municipal council whose members are elected directly or appointed according to the provisions of the law, and the term of the municipal council’s term is four years.
The city is characterised by economic activity and is home to hundreds of businesses as well as public and economic institutions. Al-Bireh is considered one of the most important Palestinian cities located 16 km north of Jerusalem and on the main road linking Jerusalem with northern Palestine. The history of human settlement in it dates to the Chalcolithic era, which is approximately 4500 BC.
Objectives
The main objective of establishing the field hospital in Al-Bireh municipality is to support the governmental hospitals and Palestinian medical staff that bear great burdens as a result of the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases.
Activities
Work began on the establishment of the field hospital on 15 March 2021. Al-Bireh municipality staff began carrying out the following activities:
- Equipping 18 patient rooms with 47 beds, a room with two primary recovery beds for advanced cases until they are transferred to Ramallah Governmental Hospital, in addition to an administration room, a reception room, an initial examination room, a nurses’ room and a control and monitoring room.
- Providing electrical wiring to all rooms and lighting units for emergency cases.
- Providing health units and bathrooms containing electric water heaters for patients.
- Carrying out the oxygen supply, which includes all necessary monitoring and control devices, valves and external units, where the oxygen generator was provided with a donation by the Red Crescent Society.
- Establishing an electrical network for the oxygen generator and medical laboratory.
- Furnishing the hospital by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society with beds and equipment, as the municipality contributed by purchasing 10 beds for patients and oxygen cylinders.
The preparation of the hospital was completed on 10 April 2021 at a total cost of the municipality equivalent to 142,000 euros.
It is worth noting that there were contributions from the local community and civil institutions in furnishing the hospital, as well as from retired employees and other parties which helped to complete the project quickly. Coordination has been made with the Ministry of Health and the hospital in Ramallah on how patients are to be admitted and which cases are to come to the field hospital. In case the patient's condition aggravates before reaching the critical stage, a direct transfer to the hospital in Ramallah will be conducted. After the hospital completion it was officially handed over to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to manage and operate.
Effects
Workers in the health sector in Palestine are the first line of defence in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and their role in providing health care, prevention, guidance in the fight against Corona and its health effects is vital.
By the increasing number of cases and the spread of the infection, the health workers in Palestine burdens and challenges have increased.
The initiative to establish the field hospital of Al-Bireh municipality was a modest attempt to support the Palestinian health sector and support its capabilities confronting the pandemic. The hospital was accomplished by the true spirit of partnership between the different sectors, which ultimately led to the success of the establishment of this hospital with the joint support of the municipality, the private sector and the local community. This hospital provided care for those infected with the COVID-19 pandemic during the peak period of the epidemic, as it received hundreds of patients and visitors for medical examinations and access to medical care and emergency services. Based on the experience of the field hospital, Al-Bireh municipality recommends:
- Create an emergency plan and a clear road map to respond to any crises at all levels.
- Forming a national committee and sub-committees in different regions to manage such health crises and to have clear and legal powers. The municipality as well with its staff, will be part of these committees, to achieve feasibility and effectiveness in responding to crises at all levels.
- Having a clear government budget for crisis management and disasters control or a disaster management fund.
- Forming and training volunteer teams to support the sub-committees in the different regions.
Conclusions
The initiative to establish a field hospital to confront the COVID-19 epidemic in the Palestinian city of Al-Bireh, with the support of the municipality, is one of the best practices that confirm that Palestinian local authorities are able to play non-traditional roles and support other sectors. According to the Palestinian context, and what happened during the pandemic, Palestinian local authorities have proven their high ability to respond to emergencies. Moreover, municipalities have played a key role in responding to the basic needs of the public during the pandemic, and this role had a great impact in mitigating the severity of the pandemic on vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Further information
Published: 15/03/2022
Images
Categories:
COVID-19
Public Health & Public Services
Good Urban Governance
crisis management and disaster preparedness
Regions:
Middle East
Palestinian Territories
Al-Bireh
