New Delhi, India, August 19 (ANI): India and Palestine have finalized the paperwork for the construction of a new hospital in the West Bank, Palestinian Ambassador to India Abdullah M. Abu Shawesh told ANI on Wednesday.
Asked about the expected outcomes of Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan’s visit to Palestine, Abu Shawesh described it as “very significant” and said the visit came at a critical time as Palestinians face a devastating situation and the health and education sectors are on the brink of collapse.
“It is very significant for both of us because it came in a very critical time when the Palestinians are enduring in a very devastating situation, when the health sector in Palestine is in the brink of collapse, when the education system is in the brink of collapse, and India is one of the country that we reach out to help us… India yesterday finalized the paperwork regarding them building a new hospital in the West Bank,” he said.
He expressed optimism that work on the hospital would begin soon. He also said discussions with India regarding artificial limbs had taken place and expressed hope for a positive outcome.
“Regarding the artificial limbs, I already discussed this issue with the government of India through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, my counterpart there. I hope that very soon we will be able to do something very significant,” he said.
Earlier in July, the Palestinian Embassy welcomed India’s announcement of three major development projects for the Palestinian people, describing the initiative as a meaningful contribution to strengthening health care services and supporting Gaza’s recovery amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
In a press statement issued in New Delhi and titled “Palestine Welcomes India’s New Development Assistance,” the Palestinian Embassy welcomed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s announcement of India’s commitment to establish a specialty hospital, an artificial limb fitment center and a vocational training institute for the Palestinian people.
The development comes as Palestinians, particularly those in the Gaza Strip, continue to face a severe humanitarian crisis. The embassy said Gaza’s health care system has been devastated, with hospitals and medical facilities destroyed or rendered inoperable, health care workers killed, injured or detained, and essential medicines and supplies remaining critically scarce.
Highlighting the significance of India’s projects, the embassy said, “Against this backdrop, India’s commitment to establish a Specialty Hospital and an Artificial Limb Fitment Centre will make a meaningful contribution to strengthening healthcare services and supporting the rehabilitation of those most severely affected.”
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