Japanese Red Cross Delegation Visits PRCS

 Al-Bireh - 1/10/2016:  A delegation from the Japanese Red Cross (JRC) visited PRCS’ headquarters in Al-Bireh as well as the Society’s branches in Jerusalem, Hebron, Gaza City and Khan Younis to see firsthand how PRCS’ hospitals operate and to learn about the health services they offer.

The visit took place from 24 to 29 September 2016 with the participation of Naoki Kokawa, deputy Director General, International Department, Masaharu Maekawa, International Relief Division, Dr. Kenji Sugimoto, Head of the International Medical Relief Department, and Ms. Noriko Ikeda, a nurse. JRC is a key PRCS’ humanitarian partner. It has funded several vital projects, including most recently the PRCS’ Community-Based Care and Rehabilitation Project.

PRCS’ Director General Dr. Khaled Joudeh and several Department heads received their Japanese counterparts in Al-Bireh. Discussions covered means to further cooperation in medical fields and to promote the exchange of experiences among hospital doctors from the two Societies.

The Japanese delegation made its first stop at PRCS’ branch in Jerusalem where it was received by Dr. Abdallah Sabri, Head of the branch, numerous Administrative Board members and PRCS’ Jerusalem Hospital staff.

Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation and the type of support that can be provided by JRC. The Japanese guests then toured PRCS’ facilities in East Jerusalem which cater to the needs of Palestinians from the city and from neighboring towns and villages.

Their second stop was at the Society’s branch in Hebron where delegation members met with Samih Abou Eisheh, President of the Administrative Board and with several Board members. They listened to a briefing on health services offered by the branch and its specialized hospital, before touring the hospital’s different wards and state-of-the-art facilities which offer 15 unique specialized pediatrics and neonatal care services alongside a wide array of obstetrics, gynecology, general surgery and specialized surgery services.

The delegation’s last stop in Hebron was at PRCS’ community-center near Al Ibrahimi Mosque where a briefing was given on services provided to residents of Hebron’s Old City.

The last leg of the visit took place in the Gaza Strip. Dr. Bashar Mourad, Deputy Director General in the Southern Governorates and several branch officials welcomed the delegation and gave an overview of health and social services offered to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Delegation members then toured PRCS’ Al Quds Hospital in Gaza City and Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younes.

End.