Italy is the Lead Donor in the Health sector in Palestine, and co-chairs, together with the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH), the Health Sector Working Group (HSWG). This working group brings together key donors and stakeholders in the health sector to coordinate international interventions, assess the needs of the MoH, and develop shared solutions to address healthcare challenges.
Following a significant commitment to health infrastructure, Italian Cooperation activities in Palestine now focus on three strategic areas: training of healthcare personnel, provision of medical equipment, and psychosocial support.
Thanks to partnerships with leading Italian institutions, such as the Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Isontina for mental health, the Global Health Center (CSG) for specialized training of healthcare workers, and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità for rare hematological diseases, Italy plays a key role in strengthening the competencies of the Palestinian health system, improving access to care and ensuring high-quality treatment for the population.
In 2024, additional funding was allocated to this sector in support of both Palestinian counterparts and major international organizations active in the field. One of the most significant projects is HAEMO-PAL, which aims to strengthen clinical centers for the diagnosis and treatment of congenital bleeding disorders and hemoglobinopathies in Palestine. Another project, implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO), focuses on reducing the preventable and avoidable burden of morbidity and mortality by enhancing the emergency and urgent care system.