The Inauguration of the Emergency Services Section in Al-Quds Hospital of PRCS in Gaza

Gaza-(15.12.2010): Dr. Younis Al-Khatib, President of the Palestine Red Crescent Society and H.E. Frédéric Desagneaux, Consul General of France in Jerusalem, inaugurated the Emergency Services Section at Al-Quds Hospital of the Palestine Red Crescent Society today.

In his opening speech, Dr. Al-Khatib asserted the importance of the rehabilitation of the emergency section, which was partially destructed during the last war on the Gaza Strip. He declared that PRCS has a plan to develop the hospital, so that it will become a specialized center on a high level, in order to mitigate the troubles of travelling abroad for treatment for the Palestinian people.

Dr. Al-Khatib added that there are other projects specified for the rehabilitation of the hospital, where more sections are to be opened in the future, and are supported by several international organizations that have shown their willingness to work on this. Besides, he valued the continuous French support to the Palestinian people that does not only target the humanitarian needs, but also other domains.

On his part, Mr. Desagneaux stated that this rehabilitation project came following the appeal made by PRCS to rebuild the hospital, which was immediately responded to by the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy. He mentioned that Mr. Bernard Kouchner, the former French minister of foreign affairs, and Dr. Younis Al-Khatib, President of PRCS signed the agreement for financing the hospital on November 2009.

In addition, he said that the aim of this project is to improve the capacity and the quality of the services provided by this vital part of the hospital in the Gaza Strip.

During the ceremony, a short film was screened about the destruction that most of PRCS buildings were exposed to in Gaza Strip.

In another context, Dr. Al-Khatib signed another agreement for the rehabilitation and development of Water Pumping Stations and Desalination Stations Project in the governorates of the Gaza Strip, supported by the Qatar Red Crescent, which was represented by its head of delegation in the Gaza Strip Office, Engineer Mohammad Abu Haloub; while the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility was represented by its General Director, Engineer Monther Shoblak.

Moreover, President of PRCS has also participated in the celebration of the International Day for the Persons with Disability, which was organized in Al-Amal City of PRCS in Khan Younis.

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Al-Khatib has also visited the delegation of the Turkish Red Crescent in the Gaza strip, and met their new delegate, Mr. Khair Al-Deen Gorawfa. In this meeting, both parties discussed enhancing the relations and the mutual cooperation between the two national societies, for the benefit of the Palestinian people. He also thanked the Turkish Red Crescent for their support to PRCS in dealing with the medical and social consequences of the Israeli war on the Gaza strip.