UN Agencies to open unit for free kidney dialysis treatment

Today, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Taawon-Lebanon, Islamic Relief, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) and the Health Care Society (HCS) inaugurated a new jointly-funded kidney dialysis unit in Beddawi camp to serve Palestine refugee patients.


The opening ceremony was attended by the representative of the Palestinian Embassy Mr. Abou Jihad Fayyad, Fatah and Palestine Liberation Organisation Secretary General in the North; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Welfare Association in Lebanon, Fouad Bawarchi; the Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Hakam Shahwan; the President of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Dr. Younes El Khatib; the Director of the Health Care Association, BahijaMayassi; and representing UNICEF, Ms. Marta Petagna Programme Specialist, Palestinian Programme.


The new unit will offer free kidney dialysis treatment to more than 30 Palestine refugees in Lebanon (PRL) and Palestine refugees from Syria (PRS) in the north. Due to the high cost of treatment, many Palestine refugee patients residing in northern Lebanon were previously unable to afford visits to specialized units near their homes and had to travel regularly to Saida in southern Lebanon to receive treatment.


"The construction of the kidney dialysis unit is a huge accomplishment for all patients and their families in north Lebanon," said 52-year-old Ibrahim Jaber, a kidney dialysis patient. "I personally have to get kidney dialysis treatment three times a week. Thanks to this unit, I can save around US$ 100 in transportation fees per month. I will also save myself from the physical exhaustion."


The new unit includes seven kidney dialysis machines and one intensive care room equipped with the latest modern medical equipment, enabling the medical team to address any urgent situations for patients prior to transporting them to the hospital. In addition, the unit comprises one quarantine room for communicable diseases and one room for the treatment and filtering of water used for the dialysis process.


A medical team from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society will administer the unit. This team has undergone training that lasted more than six months at the American University Hospital in Beirut, Nini Hospital in Tripoli and Zgharta Hospital.


On behalf of Taawon - Lebanon, Mr. Bawarchi said: "We have committed ourselves since 1996 to furthering kidney dialysis operations at the Al-Hamshari Hospital in Saida. We are here today to commit to support this unit's activities. This commitment reflects our objective to work towards the improvement of the conditions of Palestinians, while supporting Palestinian institutions."


Representing UNRWA, Mr. Shahwan said "Today celebrates a true partnership to support the health of Palestine refugees in Lebanon. I would like to thank all colleagues, and I hope this partnership expands in the future. I trust that it will make a real impact in alleviating the suffering of kidney disease patients, like Mr. Jaber, in northern Lebanon

Source: NNA