As part of efforts to strengthen social protection: MoSD supports the launch of Jabr Al-Khawatir Clinic offering free healthcare services to the poor
Ramallah – Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs and Minister of Social Development, Dr. Samah Hamad, took part today, Thursday, in the official opening of the charitable Jabr Al-Khawatir Clinic, launched by the Palestinian Volunteers Association in Ramallah. The initiative aims to provide free medical services to the most vulnerable populations, and was held in the presence of Dr. Sabri Saidam, member of the Fatah Central Committee, alongside a wide representation of officials, civil society actors, and national institutions.
Dr. Hamad emphasized that the severe humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians—particularly in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing aggression—places a moral and national responsibility on everyone to intensify efforts in providing essential services, especially healthcare and social protection. She stressed that launching such meaningful initiatives sends a message of hope amid hardship and demonstrates the vitality and resilience of the Palestinian society, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to expanding partnerships with civil society organizations to ensure dignified and equitable service delivery to vulnerable groups.
For his part, the President of the Palestinian Volunteers Association, Major General Ahmad Shehadeh, stated that the Association seeks to promote a culture of volunteerism and giving as a foundation for sustainable community development. He noted that the establishment of the Jabr Al-Khawatir Clinic is part of building a solidarity-based healthcare system that provides diagnosis and treatment free of charge to those unable to afford medical care.
The Association’s Director General explained that the clinic will offer integrated medical services in both morning and evening shifts, staffed by volunteer specialists, and supported by partnerships with diagnostic labs and imaging centers to ensure comprehensive medical testing. He confirmed that services will be strictly provided to individuals who demonstrate genuine need, in accordance with professional standards that uphold human dignity.
In a unifying national message, Dr. Sabri Saidam highlighted the widespread destruction and systematic targeting of life-sustaining infrastructure in Gaza, emphasizing that honoring the sacrifices of the martyrs requires transforming grief into organized national and humanitarian action. He described the Jabr Al-Khawatir initiative as a shining example of societal solidarity and Palestinian resilience, delivering a powerful message that our people remain steadfast in their pursuit of life and dignity despite the wounds.
The event concluded with a field tour of the clinic's facilities and services, with attendees commending this impactful model of partnership between the public and civil sectors in serving the Palestinian community.
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Dr. Samah Hamad Discusses with the Birzeit Elderly Club Association Ways to Enhance Elderly Care and Develop Services Provided to Seniors
Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, discussed today with representatives of the Birzeit Elderly Club Association ways to enhance care services provided to senior citizens, as well as mechanisms to develop joint cooperation to ensure the sustainability and improvement of these services. The discussion took place during a meeting held at the ministry’s headquarters, attended by the Minister’s Advisor Doaa Wadi, Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection Affairs Akram Al-Hafi, along with several ministry employees and representatives from the Associations Department. Representing the association were Chairwoman of the Board Dr. Mai Al-Kaila, Club Director Najwa Khoury, and Vice Chairman of the Board Daoud Mansour Shaheen. The meeting addressed the current status of the association and the services it provides to the elderly, in addition to the financial and administrative challenges it faces. Participants also discussed mechanisms to strengthen the partnership with the ministry in order to ensure the continuity and development of services. The participants further discussed the legal status of the association and the procedures for transforming the club from a branch affiliated with a foreign association into an independent local association, as well as completing licensing procedures and opening a dedicated bank account. In addition, they reviewed the “service purchase” file related to care services provided to senior citizens and the move toward reactivating the agreement to ensure the continued provision of services within the community environment for the elderly. Legal issues related to outstanding financial dues and accumulated debts owed to the former foundations were also discussed, with efforts focused on finding appropriate legal solutions in cooperation with the relevant authorities. Dr. Samah Hamad affirmed the ministry’s commitment to developing social care and protection services, noting that the ministry is working to regulate and develop the social services sector and follow up on the legal frameworks governing the work of institutions and social centers. She also highlighted ongoing efforts related to licensing and regulating psychological and social counseling professions and services to ensure the quality of services provided to target groups. She praised the humanitarian and community role played by the association in caring for the elderly and emphasized the ministry’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with local community institutions to serve the most vulnerable groups. For their part, Chairwoman Dr. Mai Al-Kaila and Club Director Najwa Khoury reviewed the nature of the services provided by the association to senior citizens, stressing that the association continues to deliver its services despite financial challenges, thanks to the efforts of staff members and volunteers who continue working to ensure service continuity. They also highlighted the importance of partnerships with several Palestinian universities, especially Birzeit University, particularly in the fields of nursing and pharmacy, due to their role in supporting the health and social services provided to the elderly. The meeting also addressed the ministry’s plan to expand the daytime care services model for senior citizens across the country through cooperation with local councils and municipalities, while benefiting from the experience of the Birzeit Elderly Club Association as a practical model in this field, within a broader effort to implement pilot projects in a number of local authorities. At the conclusion of the meeting, the minister confirmed her intention to visit the association’s headquarters soon in preparation for signing the new “service purchase” agreement once the necessary legal procedures are completed, thereby enhancing the sustainability of care services provided to senior citizens.
MoSD Implements Large-Scale Intervention and Distributes Assistive Devices to 285 Persons with Disabilities
Ramallah – In a step aimed at helping persons with disabilities overcome the challenges they face in their daily lives, the Ministry of Social Development, in cooperation with the Arab Bank, carried out a comprehensive field intervention to provide assistive devices to 285 beneficiaries with disabilities across several governorates. This initiative comes within the framework of a grant provided by the bank in response to the growing needs of the most vulnerable groups amid difficult humanitarian and economic conditions. The intervention was based on accurate field assessments conducted by the Ministry to identify the actual needs of beneficiaries. The assistance included the distribution of a variety of assistive devices, including 50 wheelchairs, 40 wheelchairs for children, 60 walkers, 30 medical mattresses, and 80 white canes, all tailored to meet the health and mobility needs of each beneficiary. The intervention also included supplying women’s protection centers with assistive devices, in a step aimed at promoting inclusion and integration of issues related to women with disabilities, and enabling these centers to provide services that are more responsive to their needs, ensuring their safe and equitable access to protection services. This intervention comes at a time when the challenges facing persons with disabilities are increasing, particularly amid limited resources and rising demand for essential services. These assistive devices are considered indispensable tools for mobility and independence, enabling beneficiaries to access services and participate in their communities in a normal and dignified manner. The Ministry praised the support of the Arab Bank and its active contribution to the success of this intervention, emphasizing that such partnerships with the private sector embody the true meaning of social responsibility and enhance the Ministry’s ability to reach the largest possible number of beneficiaries with meaningful and high-quality services. The Ministry further affirmed that this intervention reflects its firm commitment to strengthening the social protection system and expanding the scope of its services. It stressed its continued efforts to implement similar interventions in cooperation with partners, contributing to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities and enhancing their resilience under the current circumstances.
