Augusta Victoria Hospital aerial view. Photo: LWF/M.Renaux
Critical financial situation puts patients at risk
(LWI) – The board of the Augusta Victoria Hospital has expressed its extreme concern over the crisis situation that has arisen due to the non-payment of patient fees by the Palestinian Authority. In a public statement issued today, the board “urges the Palestinian Authority to pay half of its debt immediately in order to allow the hospital to maintain the quality care it provides to seriously ill patients, and stabilise the situation.”
Public statement from the Board of Augusta Victoria Hospital 29 October 2019
The board of the Augusta Victoria Hospital has met in Jerusalem to discuss the crisis situation that has arisen due to the non-payment of patient fees by the Palestinian Authority, to the amount of 45 million euros. This puts the hospital in an unsustainable position. The hospital is no longer able to purchase medicines or equipment which is needed to treat patients, and puts these children, women and men and their right to health services at risk.
The Augusta Victoria Hospital has provided medical services to the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza for more than 70 years, with a specialization in cancer treatment. AVH operates under the highest quality standards and certified by the international accreditation body Joint Commission International (JCI).
AVH abides by the highest ethical standards in healing its patients. But, it cannot continue rendering its services unless the Palestinian Authority lives up to its legal obligations and pays its bills on a timely and regular basis.
The board therefore expresses its extreme concern about the current situation and urges the Palestinian Authority to pay half of its debt immediately in order to allow the hospital to maintain the quality care it provides to seriously ill patients, and stabilize the situation. In the event that this payment is not made immediately, it will unfortunately lead to further reduction in the care of cancer patients, children and adults equally. Further discussion with the Palestinian Authority will also be needed in the following months to address the regular and persistent escalation of the situation.
The General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation Martin Junge in communicating with the Board stated: “I urge the Palestinian Authority to settle the outstanding payments rapidly so that this life-saving service to the Palestinian people can continue. I look forward to my meeting with the Prime Minister on November 10th in Ramallah”.
Augusta Victoria Hospital is a center of medical excellence in East Jerusalem, serving all 5 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. It offers specialized care not available in other hospitals in the West Bank and Gaza, including radiation therapy for cancer patients and pediatric hemodialysis. Augusta Victoria Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission International for its outstanding quality. Patients are referred to the AVH by the Palestinian Authority.
