You are here:

Roundup: Palestine can be example for Arab countries in fight against COVID-19: officials

0 Comment(s)

E-mail Xinhua, July 12, 2020

Adjust font size:

by Sanaa Kamal

RAMALLAH, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Palestine can be a model in the battle against the novel coronavirus, despite its limited medical capabilities, senior Palestinian officials said Saturday.

Two Palestinian officials told Xinhua 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 of the novel coronavirus, 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 epicenter of the latest COVID-19 wave.

Al-Kaila said that the ministry has been working "collectively and in partnership with the private sectors, specialists, regulatory powers and governors" to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Palestinian government has formed several specialized 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 epicenters, as well as medical staff infected with the coronavirus 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 has learnt valuable experience from China in its fight against the pandemic, said al-Kaila.

On April 20, China handed over a batch of medical supplies to Palestine. In mid-April, Palestine received a shipment of medical aid donated by Chinese company Alibaba.

Since April 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 has (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 March, 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 that 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.

He said it is possible to avoid more infections in the territories and reduce human and material losses by taking preventive and precautionary measures.

On July 5, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared an extension of the country's state of emergency by 30 days in a bid to curb the spread of the pandemic.

In a presidential decree, Abbas urged concerned authorities "to continue to take all necessary measures to face the dangers resulting from the coronavirus, protect public health and achieve security and stability."

The Palestinian government also renewed lockdown 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. Enditem