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Dima Qato, PharmD, MPH, International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street #240, Baltimore, MD 21205, 4438585276, dqato@jhsph.edu
This paper reviews the deteriorating health situation of the Palestinian population during the post-Oslo period of the Palestinian Authority and during the current Intifada. It seeks to document findings obtained through primary participants and documents and personal observations in the field that situate Palestinian health conditions within their political framework. The ongoing crisis highlights longstanding problems within the Palestinian health infrastructure, which make it more vulnerable to superimposing Israeli policies, especially the movement restrictions and closures. Efforts made by Palestinian professionals and the international health community in providing health services has been constantly thwarted. The Israeli authorities disregard for Palestinian health care escalated since the year 2000, being directly responsible for a vast number of Palestinian deaths. Israel's indiscriminate obstructions to the coordinated functioning of a health care system in Palestine increase morbidity, degrade health, promote premature deaths, and damage the medical infrastructure. Moreover, the Israeli actions transgress international law and ultimately, make peace in the region so much less likely. This analysis provides further evidence of the social justice violations and the wide-ranging effects on health experienced daily by the Palestinian people as direct result from the Israeli military occupation.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: War, Politics
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.