Dr. Haitham Al-Hassan, Director General of Al-Makassed Islamic Charitable Society Hospital, and Dr. Ezz El-Din Hussein, Medical Director, received His Excellency the Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Fedele, and Ms. Christine Natoli, Head of the Jerusalem Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, who provided some in-kind assistance to the hospital in light of the Corona virus pandemic and the stifling financial crisis it is going through.

His Excellency the Italian Ambassador expressed his interest in supporting East Jerusalem hospitals and the health sector in East Jerusalem, stating that “the reason for his choice to provide support to Al-Makassed Hospital is the difficult and poor financial situation it is going through and it deserves all our support in order to continue working and providing medical services.” His Excellency the Ambassador also promised to provide urgent and necessary needs and to consider providing support for future projects and finding opportunities for cooperation.

Dr. Haitham Al-Hassan gave an overview of the hospital and the services it provides to patients, the poor, and all Palestinian citizens from all over the country, and the successes of this ancient medical institution. He said, “Al-Makassed Hospital consists of 279 beds, including approximately 79 intensive care beds, which is not available in other hospitals. It is extremely important to provide intensive care beds due to the urgent need for them.” He added, “We are always striving to develop the hospital’s services, which are now at a high professional and technical level. However, we were forced to stop this development during this period because the hospital is going through a severe financial crisis that limits its development and progress due to the lack of support and funding, and the failure of beneficiaries to pay their debts.” He also stated, “Al-Makassed Hospital suffers from a severe shortage of needs and supplies, especially operating expenses, which are important and necessary. He stressed the importance of the support that can be provided by the Italian government and standing by the hospital in the difficulties it faces.” At the end of the visit, Dr. Al-Hassan presented a letter in which he expressed his thanks and gratitude to His Excellency Ambassador Giuseppe Fedele and Mrs. Christine Natoli for this support and interest in Al-Makassed Hospital and Al-Quds, hoping for greater future cooperation.