Ministry of Health honors Birzeit University students who volunteered with Indian medical team

On Thursday, September 7, 2023, the Palestinian Ministry of Health bestowed honor upon 38 volunteers from Birzeit University, who offered support to the Indian medical team at the Artificial Limb Fitment Camp. Held in Abu Raya Rehabilitation Center, the camp was organized by the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Government of India in association with Bhagvan Mahaveer ViklangSahayata Samiti (BMVSS), India.

The event was attended by Dr. Mai Kailah, minister of Health; Dr. Talal Shahwan, Birzeit University president; Dr. Yaser Amouri, vice president for Advancement; Dr. Tareef Ashour, director of the Voluntary Work Unit at the Ministry of Health; Abeer Salahat, coordinator in the Artificial Limb Fitting Program at the ministry; Fadel Khaldi, assistant to the Dean of the Student Affairs at Birzeit University; Hanan Faqeeh, community work coordinator at Birzeit University; and representatives from the Voluntary Work Unit at the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Talal Shahwan applauded the student for their dedication and commitment. He added, “Birzeit University’s recognition of its responsibilities is evident in its attempts to engage students in community-oriented activities and voluntary work. Birzeit University recognizes that its role extends beyond its geographical borders and seeks to contribute to the development process at the national level through its various educational, research and training programs.”

He further maintained, “Birzeit University constantly strives to provide capacity-building and training programs to the university community and partners from the national sector, particularly the Ministry of Health, which is one of our most prominent partners and friends. We hope to expand our current partnership with the Ministry of Health to meet the needs of the medical sector in Palestine more comprehensively.”

Dr. Kailah commended Birzeit University students for their dedication and the sense of responsibility they demonstrated during their 50 days of service at the camp. She affirmed the significance of their role in supporting the Ministry of Health, serving the community and fulfilling the entrepreneurial mission and the national responsibility of Birzeit University.

Dr. Kailah maintained that the Artificial Limb Fitment Camp, which concluded its work last month, implanted more than 460 artificial limbs for Palestinians and came as a response to the needs of Palestinians, who are subjected to constant assaults by the Israeli occupation.

Dr. Ashour asserted that voluntary work is an integral part of the national development process. He commended the role Birzeit University and its students play in the community and urged the students to continue volunteering, as it is a key aspect to the concept of citizenship.

Students Izzat Taj and Mayar Tanatra talked about their volunteering experience, stressing the significance of voluntary work in promoting students’ sense of initiative.

Hanan Faqeeh, community work coordinator at Birzeit University, talked about the university’s community work program, noting that the program requires students to finish 120 hours of community work during their studies. She added that the university established the program in 1972 to promote entrepreneurship, encourage students to bring about social change and provide volunteering opportunities at the local, regional and international levels.