A seven-year venture between the Order of Malta’s Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem and the United States Agency for International Development was launched in September 2005. It’s aim was to help improve the quality of care given to Palestinian mothers and infants in the region. Joint projects have included the training of professionals, provision of health education to families, procurement of medical equipment and the construction of seven modern fully-equipped labour rooms and an operation unit. This is to list but a few of the many achievements of this partnership.

The Holy Family Hospital has held a special event to celebrate the partnerships’ achievements. Consuls, Palestinian delegates, doctors, guests and media from around the region joined staff to give thanks for the support given to the hospital over these years. After the speeches the General Consul of the United States, Daniel Rubinstein and the Mission Director of USAID, Michael Harvey, everyone attending joined the hospital’s CEO Dr Jacques Keutgen in the opening of the renovated post-natal department – the last project realized through this collaboration.

Guests including the General Consul of France, Frederic Desagneaux, and the General Consul of Belgium, Geert Cocks, then toured the different departments of the hospital.