• 12 Sep, 2024
• Amsterdam - Holland

Uniting Knowledge, Resources and Solidarity: Gaza Health Initiative Conference in Amsterdam

Date, Country: 12 - 13 September, 2024 Amsterdam, Holland

Hosted by: KIT Royal Tropical Institute

Conference Message:

This conference focuses on rebuilding the devastated healthcare sector in Gaza. It was the third in a series that, together, has sought to convene concerned individuals in support of the immediate healthcare needs and the sector’s rebuilding.
For the last few months, we have been witnessing the destruction of the Gaza Strip. With no fully functioning hospitals in the region and an estimated 700 health care and aid workers who have lost their lives, medical facilities urgently need personnel, beds, medicine, equipment, and electricity.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, a coalition of health care professionals, non-profit organizations, humanitarian actors, academics, and concerned individuals formed the Gaza Health Initiative (GHI).

The third conference, hosted by KIT Institute, built on the progress made and had three primary goals: Supporting Palestinian-led solutions for rebuilding the health care system in Gaza, facilitating financial and technical support for organizations working on the ground, Catalyzing global citizen solidarity for the long-term healthcare needs of Gaza.

Conference Details:

The conference focused on transitioning from theoretical frameworks to actionable strategies, organized around two distinct phases. First Phase; Health Emergency and Transition and second phase; Rebuilding.

The conference aligned global and local partners in collective, coordinated efforts towards the recovery and rebuilding of Gaza’s health care system. By aligning immediate emergency response efforts with long-term recovery strategies, and empowering local actors to lead these efforts, the conference provided a clear roadmap for transforming Gaza’s healthcare system into a resilient, sustainable model. Achieving this vision will require continued global solidarity, strong partnerships, and unwavering commitment to ensuring access to essential health care for the people of Palestine.

In parallel with the conference, a high-level meeting titled; "The Scholars’ Meeting of the International Health Education Alliance" was held in Amsterdam on September 14, 2024 at The Royal Tropical Institute. The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from Gaza and around the world to discuss the current challenges and potential solutions for continuing medical education in Gaza.

The participants emphasized the importance of collaboration, infrastructure rebuilding, and sustained international support to ensure Gaza’s medical students can continue their education and contribute to the health care system and for the Gaza Universities to survive this catastrophic war and be able to remain viable and continue their missions of serving their communities.   

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