الصحة العامة

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Browsing الصحة العامة by Author "Reem Yacoub Ahmad Miqdadi"

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    Public Health Emergency Preparedness in the West Bank: A Qualitative Comprehensive Overview PHD
    (Al-Quds Univeersity, 2026-01-10) Reem Yacoub Ahmad Miqdadi; ريم يعقوب أحمد مقدادي
    Background: Emergency management is essential for safeguarding communities during crises. Nonetheless, phases of this process would involve distinct mechanisms to enhance the entire cycle. One primary focus is emergency preparedness. Public health emergency preparedness (PHEP) remains limited in conflict-affected health systems like Palestine. Despite multiple emergency responses, institutionalized preparedness mechanisms are weak. Aim: This study explores governance, capacities, and resources influencing PHEP in the West Bank. Methodology: A multi-phase qualitative design included 38 semi-structured interviews with policymakers, health providers, and non-health actors, one focus group with heads of hospitals, along with a review of 5 national and local emergency plans. Data were analysed thematically using MAXQDA and guided by the WHO strategic framework and resilience theory. Findings: The most important findings of this research focused on the fact that the current mentality towards emergency management in Palestine is one of response rather than preparedness, this is mainly linked to a broken cycle of emergency management, and perpetual emergencies in the Palestinian context as a result of protracted Israel occupation and settlor colonial expansion. The current plans are prepared only in the event of an emergency and are mostly response plans. The level of participation in these plans is weak, reflecting the weakness of coordination and partnership. However, the various response experiences evaluated reflect distinct strengths that can be built upon and leveraged in the future to develop a health system better prepared to confront all types of emergencies. The biggest problem identified by the research is the lack of a specific mechanism for documenting these experiences and investing them in building, developing, and exchanging expertise between institutions. The study also found that despite the presence of distinct capabilities within various sectors, there are no clear national mechanisms for conducting risk analysis, assessment, and risk communication with the community in emergency situations. This is also attributed to the lack of a specific budget allocated for emergencies within the government. Conclusions: This research stresses on the role of structural determinants on the ability of health systems to build effective and sustainable emergency preparedness in Palestine under the Israeli settler colonial project and sustaining its resilience. Though it highlights the opportunity to develop the capabilities of the Palestinian health system in the field of health emergency preparedness, and the importance of allocating a budget to emergencies during the preparedness phase. It also shows that the government should form a national body to lead the preparedness process with all its components, starting with the development of a comprehensive national plan for all sectors, with clarification of roles and responsibilities.