The Unique Health Challenges Women Face in Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan
Maternal, breast and reproductive health are just some of the top priorities to ensure women live a quality life. Yet, marginalized communities in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan have trouble accessing the quality care they need. Women’s health can easily fall by the wayside when medications and clinics are expensive or inaccessible, which can lead to devastating outcomes. In recognizing the unique needs of women in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan, programs are being delivered to help address all facets of the issue.
Healthcare Obstacles in Palestine
Women in Palestine face unique obstacles when it comes to accessing quality healthcare. Palestinians endure restrictions on movement and resources, facing barriers to accessing treatment both inside and outside of the Palestinian territories. While women’s health encompasses a range of care, the needs that stand out the most in Palestine are breast cancer treatments and maternal healthcare.
Though breast cancer can affect both men and women, in Palestine, the overwhelming majority of diagnoses are found in women. In 2016, 60% of breast cancer deaths in Palestine were premature and could have been prevented if effective screening, early detection and a referral pathway were in place. In terms of maternal healthcare, the majority of pregnant women seen in clinics in Palestine suffer from severe vitamin deficiencies and anemia. As a result, the women’s quality of life is extremely poor and the health of their babies is put in danger.
The Crisis in Lebanon
Nextdoor, in Lebanon, residents are experiencing one of the world’s worst economic crises in history. As a result, the country’s public health sector is on the brink of collapse. Hospitals are running out of medicine and doctors and nurses are leaving their jobs in large numbers – all due to the extreme devaluation of Lebanon’s currency and the country’s current inability to provide basic needs and resources. An aspect of this healthcare crisis is the overwhelming need for cancer medication. The most prevalent form of cancer in the region is breast cancer, which affects nearly 40% of cancer-diagnosed women in Lebanon.
Intervention and Medical Aid
From providing cancer treatments and improving the infrastructure of medical clinics to delivering prenatal vitamins, Anera helps women, including refugees living in dire conditions, receive the care they need. To address the issue, Direct Relief and Anera have been working closely to ensure the delivery of life-saving medication, such as chemotherapy, to where it is needed most.
- Cancer Treatment: Through generous medical aid donations, Anera distributes capecitabine tablets. In 2022, they delivered 24,000 tablets to Shifa Hospital, which provided it to financially disadvantaged patients at no charge.
- Maternal Support: Anera also donates prenatal vitamins to clinics in Palestine. Without donations, the cost of the prenatal vitamins is a major barrier for women in need, and is a heavy burden for expecting mothers.
- Clinical Impact: Through longstanding partnerships with highly reliable medical facilities, multivitamins and chronic disease medications are delivered to vulnerable communities throughout the West Bank and Gaza.
Key Health Statistics and Data
| Region | Health Metric / Challenge | Impact Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Palestine | Breast Cancer Mortality | 60% of deaths in 2016 were premature and preventable. |
| Palestine | Maternal Health | Majority of pregnant women in clinics suffer from anemia and vitamin deficiencies. |
| Lebanon | Breast Cancer Prevalence | Affects nearly 40% of cancer-diagnosed women. |
| Lebanon | Public Health Status | Sector on the brink of collapse due to currency devaluation and lack of resources. |
Through these donations, medical facilities can take care of women's health, allowing them to turn their attention to their own development and their kids’ future.