On 22/3/2020 the total cases in all occupied Palestinian territory are now 59, including 57 cases in West Bank and 2 cases in Gaza, as WHO estimates that at least 1,000 people across the West Bank and Gaza Strip could have COVID-19 in the next three months.
Union of Health Work Committees (UHWC) as the largest non-governmental health organization in the Gaza Strip, adopted a strategy based on continuing to provide its health services in the field of primary, secondary and tertiary care and expanding areas of work to respond to the citizens and patients’ needs that have resulted from the stop of the primary and secondary health care services by the MoH and the restrictions to access health services imposed by UNRWA. The UHWC strategy includes the following determinants:
1. Providing safety and security measures for UHWC staff so that they can continue to provide health services and respond to emerging needs.
2. Providing safety and security measures for patients and beneficiaries to limit the spread and transmission of infection from the external environment to the UHWC health facilities and vice versa.
3. UHWC's response to patients' health needs in light of the Ministry of Health's focus on emergency services and efforts to confront the spread of the Corona pandemic.
4. Response of UHWC to some specialized services, which include: Providing ICU services through increase the number of intensive care beds in Gaza Strip hospitals from 48 to 60 beds, especially in light of fears of the spread of Corona pandemic
To implement this strategy, Union of Health Work Committees needs your support to implement the following activities:
1. Training the UHWC staff on preventive methods from spreading the Corona virus by following a special protocol to prevent infection or spreading infection, including the use of a special uniform and masks (PPE).
2. Purchasing medical disposable, medication and PPE, disinfectants and detergents for staff hygiene and clean working environment to avoid virus infection.
3. Purchasing pumps for sterilization and disinfection of UHWC buildings and furniture.
4. Purchasing electronic thermometers (Laser) to be located at all UHWC health facilities.
5. Providing poor and needy people with hygiene kits that include disinfectants and hygiene products to prevent the spread of the virus.
6. Improving the immune status of the immune compromised patients (elderly, chronic diseases, patient with organ transplantation, cancer patients, pregnant, lactating women …. etc.) by distributing some vitamins, such as: vitamin C and zinc, which stimulates the immune system.
7. Providing UHWC with the necessary ICU equipment.
