Child patient at the LWF Augusta-Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem, in the pediatric oncology ward. Photo: LWF/ Atta Jabr
"Timely and crucial support" to cancer care for Palestinians
(LWI) - The Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem has received a 20 million USD payment from the United States government (USAID). This support will enable the AVH to continue its work for Palestinians.
"We are grateful for the crucial support to provide life-saving health services to more Palestinians in need," says Miina Puntila, LWF Regional Program Officer for the Middle East. The AVH received the payment on 3 October 2024.
The hospitalis run by The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), specializes in cancer and kidney care and is the only institution to provide this kind of health care to Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza.
Life-saving health services
LWF World Service director Maria Immonen expressed gratitude towards the US administration for their support and partnership. She underlines the importance of such continued support from the US and the European Union. "We look forward to the continued collaboration with USAID and the US administration, which is essential for sustaining our healthcare services. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of many Palestinians, ensuring they receive the medical attention and life-saving treatments they need and deserve."
Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of many Palestinians, ensuring they receive the medical attention and life-saving treatments they need and deserve.
Maria IMMONEN, Director of LWF World Service
Ongoing support vital
The AVH has long faced financial challenges. These are actively managed Cost-control mesaures have included reducing patient intake and using generic medicines. "This payment will allow us to carefully revisit the current restrictions in patient intake, in place since Sept 2021 due to the overall difficult financial situation in Palestine and AVH", Puntila continues.
In 2022, during his visit to AVH, US President Joe Biden pledged to give 100 million USD to the East Jerusalem Hospital Network, of which AVH is a part. To date, AVH has received around USD 50 million of the pledged support. This ongoing support, as well as monthly payments from the Palestinian Authority, is vital for LWF's continued efforts to provide high-quality healthcare services to the people of Palestine.
Augusta Victoria Hospital is a center of medical excellence in East Jerusalem, serving all 5 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Its specialized services include comprehensive cancer and diabetes care, kidney care and dialysis, skilled nursing and long-term care, as well as ear, nose and throat and other specialty surgeries. Augusta Victoria Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission International for its outstanding quality. Patients are referred to the AVH by the Palestinian Authority.
Augusta Victoria-Hospital is calling for donations to support the additional accommodation cost of patients and staff from Gaza and the West Bank, who cannot return home, and for medical supplies to treat people injured in the conflict.
