5.aHealth in Palestine

Epidemiological Transition in Palestine

  • The population in the occupied Palestinian territory is experiencing an epidemiological transition:

    • Shift from infectious diseases being the primary cause of death to chronic diseases related to lifestyle factors.

  • Epidemiology: The study of disease.

  • Transition: Indicates a change in health trends.

Types of Diseases

Communicable Diseases

  • Diseases transmitted from person to person.

Chronic Diseases

  • Non-communicable diseases that persist over time.

Historical Perspective on Diseases

  • Common diseases in the past:

    • Tuberculosis (TB)

    • Measles

    • Mumps

    • Cholera

    • Polio

    • Hepatitis

    • Malaria

    • Chickenpox

    • Meningitis

Complications from Measles

  • Potential complications include:

    • Blindness

    • Encephalitis (brain swelling leading to potential brain damage)

    • Severe diarrhea and dehydration

    • Ear infections

    • Respiratory issues, including pneumonia

Disease Burden in Palestine

  • The impact of diseases leads to:

    1. Increased costs in the health sector

    2. Increased focus on health prevention strategies

    3. Combined disease management, including mental health concerns

Factors Affecting Health in Palestine

  • Contributing factors to poor health:

    • Bad housing conditions and overcrowding

    • High unemployment rates

    • Limited access to healthcare

    • Poor quality of health services

    • Widespread poverty

Causes of Death in the West Bank (2022)

  • Top Ten Causes of Death include:

    • Ischemic heart disease: 25.3%

    • Cancer: 20%

    • Diabetes complications: 18.7%

    • Cerebrovascular diseases: 12.8%

    • Injuries: 10.5%

    • Perinatal period complications: 5.6%

    • Hypertensive disease: 5.5%

    • Congenital anomalies: 5.2%

    • COVID-19: 4.8%

    • Nervous system diseases: 3.8%

  • Data presented as proportional distribution.

Shortages in Healthcare Specialties

  • Areas with a shortage of specialists include:

    • Surgery

    • Internal medicine

    • Neurology

    • Dermatology

    • Psychiatry

    • Pathology

    • Anesthesiology

    • Nephrology

Excess in Certain Medical Fields

  • Excess demand in fields such as:

    • Dentistry

    • Pharmacy

    • Laboratory technology

    • Radiology technology

  • Need for improvement: Palestinian universities must enhance and organize their educational programs.

Main Providers of Healthcare in Palestine

  • Key healthcare providers include:

    • Palestinian Ministry of Health

    • UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

    • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

    • Private medical sector

  • Services provided by UNRWA:

    • Food aid

    • Housing assistance

    • Education

    • Health services

Current State of the Health System

  • Characteristics of the Palestinian health system:

    • Composed of fragmented services (many small parts)

    • Health care system historically neglected, leading to shortages in staff, beds, and medication.

    • Dependence on Israeli hospitals for critical care and services.

  • Current struggles include:

    1. Limited healthcare service development under Israeli military governance.

    2. Poor governance and management by the Palestinian Authority.

  • Access to services heavily dependent on geographic location, especially for West Bank residents.

Need for Sovereignty in Health System Development

  • Essential for building an effective health system:

    • Sovereignty

    • Self-determination

    • Authority and control over resources such as land, water, and the environment

    • Freedom of movement for people and goods.