In partnership with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and with the fund of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Caritas Baby Hospital (CBH) carried out a closing ceremony for the COVID-19 Emergency Response project on 30 November 2022.
This project aimed at mitigating the impact of the corona virus in the West Bank by supporting local NGO Healthcare Facilities (HCF) to provide essential healthcare services with the best Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices. The targeted healthcare facilities included Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation (BASR) in Beit Jala, Shepherd’s field Hospital in Beit Sahour, Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, Al Ahli Hospital in Hebron, and Saint Luke Hospital in Nablus.
In his welcoming speech, Issa Bandak, the Chef Executive Officer at Caritas Baby Hospital expressed his sincere gratitude for the donor, partners, and CBH team for their commitment and dedication throughout the project. He also stressed the role of the hospital in overcoming the Corona virus on a national level by sharing experiences with partner hospitals and cooperating with the Palestinian Ministry of Health to provide virus-testing during the pandemic.
On this occasion, Michelle Ryan, Country Representative of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) started her speech by recognizing the USAID for their support as well as appreciating CBH as a solid partner. She acknowledged also the healthcare facilities achievements in mitigating the spread and impact of COVID-19 pandemic by strengthening their infection, prevention and control standards.
Fida Hussein, the nurse in the Shepherd's Field Hospital and one of the accredited graduates of the HCAC (Health Care Accreditation Council) stated: “I was able to address hand hygiene practices in the hospital and show evidence that the hand hygiene compliance has improved using the WHO tools for monitoring. More importantly, I was able to ensure adherence of the staff in using the methodology”.
The results of the project were summarized in the delivery of supplies; consumables and equipment that help hospitals apply infection control practices and thus confront the pandemic. They also included improving the capacity of the medical and paramedical staff by providing technical training, followed by field visits to enhance their knowledge of the minimum infection prevention and control standards.
