WEST BANK: Palestinians rush to hospitals as strikes by government-paid health workers end

Record ID: 561077

  • Title: WEST BANK: Palestinians rush to hospitals as strikes by government-paid health workers end
  • Date: 22nd May 2007
  • Summary: (MER-1) NABLUS, WEST BANK (MAY 20, 2007) (REUTERS) SIGN READING 'PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, MINISTRY OF HEALTH' WOMEN WAITING OUTSIDE THE MINISTRY VARIOUS OF WOMEN CARRYING THEIR CHILDREN WAITING FOR IMMUNISATION CLOSE OF LITTLE GIRL MORE OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN WAITING THEIR TURN (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOTHER, ASMA AMIRA, SAYING: "They only open one day every month- who is that enought for, this one day?" CROWDS WAITING INSIDE THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FATHER, AMER HASAN, SAYING: "approcimately 20 days... it's been 20 days. What am I supposed to do? Like everyone else here... you can see what it's like." DOCTOR STANDING AS MOTHER PREPARES BABY FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATION BABY CRYING AND BEING EXAMINED BY DOCTOR (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DOCTOR ABDALLAH OTHMAN, SAYING: "This may cause illnesses we have been able to control in the past, to return to the country. Late immunisation and only having one day to imunise 20, 000 children in the area is not enogh." VARIOUS OF BABIES BEING IMMUNISED MORE OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN WAITING FOR TREATMENT
  • Embargoed: 6th June 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Employment
  • Reuters ID: LVAC7HSO3KFXDRHT0NC8FBTP4UNA
  • Story Text: Hundreds of parents rushed their children to hospital for treatment as a strike by government-paid Palestinian health workers that began earlier this month to protest the non-payment of salaries came to an end.
    At the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Health in Nablus, the Children's Health Clinic was packed full of mothers and fathers wanting to get their children immunised. But the clinic is only open for one day every month and the number of children in need of medical attention far exceeds the clinic's ability to provide it.
    "They only open one day every month- who is that enough for, this one day?" said Asma Amira, a mother.
    The strike has caused shortages of staff and medical supplies and made it difficult for parents and children to access basic health services. It has also jeopardized the 'cold chain' system, which is crucial for storing vaccines.
    "This may cause illnesses we have been able to control in the past, to return to the country. Late immunisation and only having one day to immunise 20, 000 children in the area is not enough," said Dr Abdallah Othman who works in the clinic.
    A Western aid embargo imposed on the Hamas-led government, because of the Islamist movement's refusal to renounce violence and recognise Israel, has prevented payment of full salaries to 165,000 government workers.
    Union leaders said up to 80,000 Palestinian government workers were taking part in this month's strike which shut down government ministries and buildings.
    The union's stance underscored the challenges facing the unity government formed nearly two months ago by Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas's secular Fatah faction.
    Palestinians hoped the power-sharing agreement would end fighting between the factions and ease a year-old Western aid embargo against the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority.
    Tensions between Hamas and Fatah remain high and the ban on direct aid to the government remains in place.
    Palestinian government-paid health workers, along with other government workers, went on strike to protest not being paid for several months- a consequence of aid-sanctions on the Hamas-led government.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
Register