
Minister of Social Development Dr. Samah Hamad Visits "Wujud" Autism Center in Tulkarm as Part of Ministerial Delegation
Tulkarm – Minister of Social Development and Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, visited the "Wujud" Center for the Rehabilitation of Children with Developmental Disorders in Tulkarm Governorate. The visit took place as part of a ministerial delegation led by Minister of Local Government, Dr. Sami Al-Hajawi, and included Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Eng. Hani Hayek, as well as the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development, Mr. Taha Al-Irani.
During the visit, the administration of the "Wujud" Center provided the ministerial delegation with an overview of the diverse services offered to children. The center provides a comprehensive range of rehabilitative, educational, psychological, and therapeutic services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological support sessions, special education programs, and the development of life and social skills. These services aim to empower children to integrate into society and enhance their independence.
The center currently serves approximately 50 children through the Ministry’s service-purchasing program, in addition to others enrolled in its various programs. Dr. Hamad explained that the service-purchasing system enables children to access appropriate rehabilitative and educational services through the Ministry’s contracts with specialized centers. This initiative aligns with the Ministry’s vision of supporting the most vulnerable groups and promoting equal opportunities for children with disabilities. It also reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with institutions working in the disability sector to ensure service sustainability and quality improvement.
Dr. Hamad emphasized the importance of supporting and empowering children with developmental disorders by providing them with an appropriate educational and rehabilitative environment. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuing all possible support for these institutions to improve the lives of children and their families and enhance their role in Palestinian society.
At the conclusion of the visit, the minister and the delegation commended the efforts of those managing the center. They stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between official bodies and specialized centers to ensure the provision of high-quality and sustainable services for children with special needs.
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Dr. Samah Hamad Visits Bethlehem Girls Care Center, Stresses Protection and Empowerment
Bethlehem – Acting Minister of Social Development and Minister of State for Relief Affairs, H.E. Dr. Samah Hamad, conducted a field visit to the Girls Care Center affiliated with the Directorate of Social Development in Bethlehem Governorate. She was accompanied by the Minister of Women’s Affairs, H.E. Dr. Muna Al-Khalili. They were received by Ms. Saeeda Al-Atrash, Director of the Directorate of Social Development in Bethlehem, Ms. Sanaa Abu Luban, Director of the Center, and several staff members. During their tour of the center’s facilities, the two ministers were briefed on the status of services provided to the resident girls and listened to a detailed presentation by the center’s administration outlining the key challenges and shortages facing operations, particularly regarding administrative and logistical needs essential to improving the quality of care and protection services. A broad dialogue session was held, discussing legislative aspects related to juvenile protection and women’s empowerment, in addition to various social issues concerning the rights of girls and women. Dr. Hamad emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to developing specialized care and protection policies that take into account the social and psychological conditions of the resident girls, and to enhancing their integration into society. Dr. Hamad also highlighted the importance of partnership between the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in building a comprehensive social protection system that addresses the needs of the most vulnerable groups, particularly under the current challenging economic and humanitarian circumstances. For her part, Minister Al-Khalili affirmed that empowering girls and strengthening their rights is a national priority, emphasizing the importance of ongoing coordination to ensure a safe and supportive environment for girls. The visit concluded with a call to unify efforts to ensure the sustainability and quality of services, thereby strengthening the protection and empowerment of girls within a safe and supportive setting.

MoSD and General Personnel Council Launch Workshop on Performance Management System in the Civil Service
Ramallah – As part of the national effort to enhance institutional efficiency and elevate the performance of human resources, H.E. Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Minister of State for Relief Affairs, together with Dr. Musa Abu Zaid, Head of the General Personnel Council, inaugurated a training workshop entitled “Performance Management System in the Civil Service Sector,” held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ramallah. In her opening remarks, Minister Hamad welcomed the Chairman of the Council and all participants and organizers, stressing the vital role the Council plays in advancing civil service in Palestine and achieving tangible outcomes at the national level. She highlighted the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, noting that the ongoing deprivation of access to food and safe drinking water has led to the spread of malnutrition, particularly among children, emphasizing that full responsibility lies with the relevant international bodies. Minister Hamad emphasized that human capital is the primary pillar of institutional success, even preceding financial resources, as it is the workforce that drives financial generation and supports development. She praised the commitment of the Ministry’s employees, especially those working in the field, who continue to carry out their duties under extremely difficult conditions. She also presented the Ministry’s key programs and objectives, including efforts to mobilize aid and develop structured distribution mechanisms, in addition to protection programs targeting vulnerable groups such as children, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, to safeguard them from all forms of exploitation. For his part, Dr. Abu Zaid commended the Ministry’s essential and far-reaching work, noting its significant impact on the lives of citizens and society as a whole. He stressed that performance evaluation is a critical and complex issue—not only locally or regionally, but globally. He described it as a foundational pillar for institutional development, improving human resource capabilities, and enhancing service quality. Abu Zaid emphasized the importance of daily and monthly evaluations throughout the year to ensure objective and accurate assessments based on employees' job descriptions. This, he explained, strengthens the weight and credibility of the process in the minds of employees and helps identify the institution’s training needs. He added, “Employee evaluation must be conducted professionally and based on a scientific approach, requiring that the employee be involved in the inputs and core of the execution plan. This allows their achievements to be clearly measured against the strategic objectives of the institution.” Dr. Abu Zaid also highlighted the critical role of scientific research in empowering institutions, affirming that Palestine now possesses national capabilities and no longer needs foreign expertise. He referred to the Palestinian National School of Administration as a center of excellence with expert teams capable of offering research, planning, and administrative consulting services across all sectors. He expressed his pride in the exceptional competencies within the General Personnel Council and the National School of Administration. In conclusion, he reaffirmed that no force can undermine the resilience and will of the Palestinian people to achieve their rightful independence, stating, “No one can erase Palestine from the geographic or political map.” Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ziyad Shadid, Director General of Civil Service Employees Affairs, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to developing human resource systems and enhancing performance and effectiveness across institutions. He encouraged participants to actively engage with the training content and contribute ideas to enrich the discussion and support development efforts. In the same context, Ms. Israa Omar, Director of the Performance Evaluation Department, delivered a detailed presentation on the Performance Management System, covering its stages, core components, and the mechanisms for practical implementation within civil service institutions.
