Current Situation

In a presentation at a U.S. Priory Membership meeting at the 2009 Investiture, Dr. Talbot presented a report that summarized the Hospital’s work and its needs, and the urgent need for its services. To highlight its main points:

• Dr. Talbot cited the outstanding level of knowledge, the number of successful and long-lasting operations, and the very generous donations from the U.S. Yet the number of outpatients is rising and expected to grow from 83,000 to almost 100,000.  Around 3,500 operations were performed in the 2008.

• He discussed the various types of eye care (primary, secondary and tertiary) currently being provided and new needs that may develop. He detailed current problems increasingly encountered at the Hospital and fixed clinics, such as security and geographical concerns, and vulnerability to politics and space limitations (visitors’ accommodations, etc.) The retinal unit needs to be enlarged, and general renovation is still needed at the Hospital, despite the funds provided by the Initiative for Women and Children.

• The recently newly opened outpatient clinic in Anabta has doubled the number of patients, and the Hospital has formed a helpful association with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. The Hebron Hospital is a huge success, so much so that they have run out of space. The Gaza clinic is difficult to get to, being both deprived and isolated. The peripheral costs of these three clinics total 779,878 Euros. It is strategically important to keep a presence in all three, but the more patients that are seen the more it costs.

• A recent study called “Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness” (RAAB) was summarized. According to this study 2.85% of Palestinians over the age of 50 are totally blind and 16.29% are partially blind. This compares with a figure 0.25% for the United Kingdom. Women are twice as likely to be blind. Many eye diseases are treatable, but it is important to screen for them.

• The Hospital’s income rose in 2008, but is being outpaced by expenditures, and there is currently a half a million pound deficit. Another negative factor is the loss from fluctuating exchange rates. Sources of income are investments, local donations from the Palestinian Authority, and fundraising from Priories. The Hospital’s strategic direction is to review costs, and to focus on fundraising. One idea is to create specific sponsorships of individual staff positions. He thanked the Priory in the U.S. for being so generous.

For more information on the Hospital’s current situation, visit the Hospital website.