16 April 2020
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is working hard to respond to and prevent the further spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and ensure health workers there have access to the protective equipment they desperately need.
Support MAP's COVID-19 emergency response
Currently, as of 16 April 2020, there are 291 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the oPt and sadly two deaths, with 278 cases and two deaths in the West Bank, and 13 cases in Gaza. In Lebanon there are 658 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 21 deaths.
Responding to the urgent need to prevent the further spread of the disease in Gaza, this week MAP delivered 1,160L of disinfectant alcohol gel worth $20,000 to the Central Drug Store. Last week, we provided 150 hygiene kits worth $7,500 to the Palestinian Medical Relief Society in Gaza who have distributed to vulnerable families with members with disabilities. In the short video below Saja Alquran, Central Drug Store Pharmacist, outlines how critical MAP’s continued support is:
In support of infection control, MAP has also delivered 2,500 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) gowns and 60 eye protection glasses for health workers worth over $40,000. These will help reduce the risk of infection for health workers involved in the assessment and care of patients with possible or confirmed COVID-19. Last month, we also released 200 hygiene kits worth $10,000 to be utilised at quarantine centres receiving people returning to Gaza.
MAP is also responding to existing stock shortages and have already provided supplies of eight essential drugs, including antibiotics and medicines for treating respiratory diseases, and seven medical consumables worth $34,850 to Gaza’s Central Drug Store.
In the West Bank and the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, MAP is also prioritising infection prevention and control, and the provision of protective equipment for health workers. We are procuring protective equipment for health workers and vital antiseptics and disinfectants such as chlorhexidine, ethyl alcohol, glutaraldehyde and povidone iodine.
In Lebanon’s camps, MAP’s community midwives continue to provide essential care to expectant and new mothers and their new-born babies. MAP has procured face masks, antiseptic lotions, and gloves so the midwives can safely conduct individual health education sessions.
At all times, MAP’s response is being guided by priority lists provided by the World Health Organization and Ministries of Health, whilst our well-established local and regional procurement systems will ensure that essential items reach hospitals, primary healthcare centres and community partners as quickly as possible.
The support MAP provides in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon is only made possible thanks to the generosity of people like you. Please donate today so we can continue providing our emergency COVID-19 response to vulnerable Palestinian communities:
