World Health Organization (WHO) Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, Richard Peeperkorn, and European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President, Gelsomina Vigliotti, yesterday confirmed the successful ongoing implementation of the first two technical assistance assignments conducted under the global EIB-WHO partnership for health, according to a press release.
The EIB is supporting the WHO to assist the Ministry of Health in assessing and reshaping the national primary healthcare and oncology services strategies. The support will lead to improved prioritization and increased investment in health in Palestine, said the press release.
The announcement was done when EIB President Werner Hoyer attended the opening ceremony of the new EIB Representation for the West Bank and Gaza.
“The EIB and the WHO are committed to strengthening health investments that improve public health in the West Bank and Gaza,” said EIB Vice-President Vigliotti. “The EIB contribution will help the WHO and local authorities to better plan and unlock investments for the welfare of the Palestinian people, such as primary healthcare and oncology services. The two projects we confirm today are an example of the joint commitment to deliver on our global partnership for health, complementing each other’s strengths.”
“The EIB-supported joint Ministry of Health and WHO assessments are strategic and will help to update essential health packages and health financing strategy, improve governance of oncology services, and guide the much-needed increased investment in health in Palestine,” said Peeperkorn.
On 1 May 2020, the European Investment Bank and the World Health Organization signed their first Memorandum of Understanding, outlining common focus areas including increased collaboration on primary healthcare and health system resilience. The occupied Palestinian territory is the first pilot area where cooperation has been initiated between the two organizations.
Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA)