by Sanaa Kamal
RAMALLAH, July 12 (NNN-WAFA) – Palestine can be a model in the battle against COVID-19, despite its limited medical capabilities, senior Palestinian officials said Saturday.
Two Palestinian officials said that, Palestine has been confronted with a second wave of infections since mid-June, with a significant increase in COVID-19 cases.
Palestine has so far registered 6,688 cases, with 34 virus-related deaths. Half of the confirmed cases were reported in the last couple of weeks in the Palestinian districts of the West Bank, particularly Hebron, the health ministry said.
Late on Friday, Health Minister, Mai al-Kaila, announced that her ministry would send more medical teams to help hospitals in Hebron, the epicentre of the latest COVID-19 wave.
Al-Kaila said, the ministry has been working “collectively and in partnership with the private sectors, specialists, regulatory powers and governors” to curb the spread of the virus.
The Palestinian government formed several specialised committees to combat the pandemic, said al-Kaila, adding that the most important is the “epidemiological committee, based on the involvement of all health and academy sectors.”
“With collective efforts, we have been developing strategic plans to submit the necessary recommendations to the higher authorities represented by the high emergency committee,” the minister added.
“We are facing a hazardous second wave of the new virus, as we found many unknown epicentres, as well as medical staff infected with the virus in hospitals,” she noted.
However, the minister said, doctors from the Palestinian Authority (PA), who have accumulated practical experience, have been intensifying efforts to contain the spread of the virus by arranging awareness campaigns and setting up precautionary measures.
The PA learnt valuable experience from China in its fight against the pandemic, said al-Kaila.
On Apr 20, China handed over a batch of medical supplies to Palestine. In mid-Apr, Palestine received a shipment of medical aid donated by the Chinese company, Alibaba.
Since Apr 14, Chinese doctors and medical experts have held three video conferences with their Palestinian counterparts to share China’s experience in containing the outbreak.
“China played a great role in curbing the virus as it has provided medical aid, as well as, dispatched medical experts to teach the Palestinian staff how to deal with the unprecedented situation,” al-Kaila added.
Al-Kaila’s remarks were echoed by Ibrahim Milhem, spokesperson of the Palestinian government, who said, China’s anti-epidemic measures have inspired his country.
Since the first COVID-19 case in Palestine was reported in early Mar, the Palestinian government has adopted many measures similar to China’s, said Milhem.
The spokesperson added that the PA should be used as an “example for other nations” on how to contain the spread of COVID-19.
He pointed out that the PA, just like the rest of the world, has gradually eased its strict measures to let people return to normal.
Given that the second wave of infections occured in several districts, Milhem said, the PA has not yet lost control of the health situation in the Palestinian territories, especially the West Bank, thanks to the government’s pursuit of a multi-stage strategic plan aimed at besieging the disease faster.
The Palestinian government also renewed lock-down measures across the West Bank this week and imposed new regulations, including the shutting down of mosques, churches, and private establishments, as well as, banning public gatherings.
“The Palestinian government will not, in any way, allow the restrictions imposed on the areas affected by the virus to be violated, and it will punish all violators,” Milhem said.
Based on the current situation, the Palestinian health sector is capable of dealing with COVID-19 patients and providing them with necessary health care, Milhem added.– NNN-WAFA
