Since its establishment, UPA has attempted to address the dual nature of problems facing the Palestinian health care system — a severely underdeveloped health system operating in the context of chronic poverty and chronic low-level war with Israel.
The Palestinian medical community can barely meet the needs of West Bank and Gaza Strip patients for lack of financial and technical resources. Many families cannot afford meat or fresh fruits and vegetables and consequently, 20 percent of children, five and under, suffered from acute or chronic malnutrition in 2003 and 20 percent of Palestinian women from anemia as well.
Closure has prevented medics from getting to work and they are regularly unable to rescue those injured in the clashes. Many medical personnel have been injured themselves while caring for those in need. During periods of violence, UPA responds as quickly as possible to help local health institutions deal with the high numbers of casualties.
Emergency aid from UPA helps Palestinian medical institutions purchase equipment and supplies with which to save lives. UPA simultaneously attempts to improve the quality of health care through its long-term development projects.
These projects focus on upgrading aging medical equipment, funding hospital expansion, promoting preventive health care, and ensuring a steady supply of basic medicines to field hospitals throughout the Territories.
In all cases, UPA works with Palestinian non-profit, non-governmental organizations whose subsidized care constitutes a medical lifeline for underprivileged families not served by the Palestinian Authority or the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Medical non-profits remain popular with poor Palestinians because they provide quality services either free of charge or for a nominal fee. Careful consideration is taken by UPA in selecting NGOs that best provide quality services.
UPA works with grassroots organizations in crisis situations, ensuring that the needs of individuals and small communities are met in the most efficient way.
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