GAZA INAUGURATES NEW HOSPITAL BUILDING

Gaza, 18 Rajab 1435/17 May 2014 (MINA) – Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza Strip Ismail Haniyeh inaugurated a new seven-storey hospital building in the area of As-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, which replaced previous buildings destroyed by Israeli attacks.

The $ 18 million building was in assistance with Islamic Development Bank (IDB) which comes from its member countries fund, including Indonesia.

The hospital was built 10 years ago by Gazan official, delayed before due to a shortage of funds, until finally the IDB gave its aid, which is distributed by Qatari Hilal Ahmar in cooperation its Palestinian Hilal Ahmar, MINA correspondent in Gaza reported on Friday.

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The seven-storey building consists two basements, eight operating rooms and 170 beds.

In a speech delivered in front of hundreds of invited guests, Ismail Haniyeh said this proves the engineers succeeded in presenting Palestinian masterpiece for the nation despite the difficulties due to the Israeli blockade.

“This is a great work, the building is not just for Palestinian doctors association, but also as a history of the work of Palestinian engineers. The significance of this building is also a success in challenging to the Israeli blockade and a sign of victory,” said Haniyeh.

The Government and the people of Gaza always ready to face various trials of whack, due to a blockade or Israeli attacks, he added.

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“All the hospitals in the Gaza Strip has faced wars, blockades and various kinds of threats. We know in the Furqon war there are 160 martyrs and hundreds of injuries in 1 hour, at the time the hospitals in the Gaza Strip is not ready and equipped well to handle this tragedy. But all Palestinians deal with it, we work together without any payment, even for a livelihood, Palestinians are strong and sturdy stand for it,” Haniyeh.

Haniyeh also thanked to all parties who joined to help the Palestinian people. In particular, he mentioned that Qatar has provided aid worth 450 million U.S. dollars to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

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At the end of the event, Palestinian Health Minister Dr. Mufeed Mukhallalati also expressed grateful to the Government of Indonesia who participate and assist the construction of the building. According to the local reports, the Indonesian government also donated funds through the IDB $ 2 million dollars for the construction of the hospital building.

The event was also attended by the Chairman of the Palestinian parliament Ahmad Bahar, a former health minister and health minister Basim Naim Mufeed Mukhallalati and other officials.(L/K1/K2/K3/P03/P04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)