Birzeit University, United Appeal explore needs for better care of Patients with Clefts

Birzeit University’s Faculty of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Professions and the United Palestinian Appeal will be jointly working on the project “Embracing Life” for expanding the capacity of the Palestinian medical sector, and to provide local addresses for families to turn to for treatment and follow-up care.

This was announced during a medical conference on “Improving Speech Outcomes in Patients with Clefts: The Essentials of Team Care”, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Smile Train Charity.

About 70 medical professionals from a variety of disciplines participated in the conference in the West Bank last week. Attendees gathered to listen to lectures from Amal Abu Kteish from Birzeit University, who presented research on hearing problems related to cleft lip and cleft palate.

The Director of Programs at the United Palestinian Appeal Hanna Rabah talked about the organization’s mission to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians and to contribute to the long-term socioeconomic and cultural development of the Palestinian society.

The Head of “Embracing Life” program John A. van Aalst said that the aim of the program is to empower Palestinians in different areas including health and education, and enable them to achieve independency and self-sufficiency, which will contribute in their sustainable development.

The conference hosted prominent speakers in field of health and speech experts who provided comprehensive knowledge on the care of patients with cleft lip and cleft palate, in addition to other craniofacial anomalies.

In 2014, United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) initiated the Embracing Life Program to empower Palestinian medical personnel living in the West Bank to provide self-sufficient and comprehensive care for patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies and to transfer their knowledge to areas where UPA is operational.