H.E. Ambassador Patricia Danzi, Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), visited Caritas Baby Hospital (CBH) in Bethlehem on Friday, 23 January 2026.
During the visit, Ambassador Danzi and the accompanying delegation from the Swiss Representative Office in the occupied Palestinian territory toured the hospital and gained firsthand insight into the work of Caritas Baby Hospital, the only exclusively pediatric hospital in the West Bank. The guests also reviewed the progress of the Pediatric Surgery Access Project, a two-year initiative made possible through the generous funding of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through the Swiss Representative Office in the oPt. The project aims to enhance access to high-quality pediatric surgical services in the West Bank, benefiting thousands of children and their families.
Following the tour, Ambassador Danzi met with CBH’s Executive Committee and the project team to discuss the general health situation in the oPt and the ongoing challenges affecting access to healthcare. These constraints continue to hinder service utilization and impact overall child health outcomes.
On the occasion of the visit, Ambassador Danzi commented:
“We are delighted to witness in person the progress in the Pediatric Surgery Access Project in Caritas Baby Hospital, which will serve the Palestinian children and promote their wellbeing”.
Caritas Baby Hospital - operated by the Swiss organization Children’s Relief Bethlehem - welcomed the delegation and highlighted the long-standing partnership with the Swiss people. CEO of Caritas Baby Hospital, Mr. Issa Bandak, reaffirmed the importance of this enduring support, stating:
“We are grateful for over 70 years of partnership with the Swiss people, which has sustained the work of CBH for all Palestinian children”.
