Israeli, Palestinian doctors hold joint medical conference

Video:
http://youtu.be/eya74DjTOwo

Purpose of event was to develop research opportunities and nurture relations
between Israeli and Palestinian doctors
Date: 27/09/2011, 5:34 PM Author: IDF Website
http://www.idf.il/1086-13364-EN/Dover.aspx

Last week, one hundred Israeli and Palestinian doctors met at the Peres
Peace Center in Jaffa for an ophthalmological convention, the first ever
joint medical conference on such a scale.

The event, organized by Lirot (the Israeli Research Association for Eye
Health and Blindness Prevention), aimed to develop research opportunities
and nurture Israeli and Palestinian relations between medical professionals.

The conference was facilitated by the Civil Administration, and Dalia Bassa,
the Head of the Civil Administration Health Department, was invited to
participate.

"Health cooperation and coordination between the two sides is extremely
important. Medical research and technologies are constantly developing, thus
changing the nature of treatments and treatment methods. Health
professionals need this sort of forum to keep abreast on new discoveries and
ideas," Bassa said.

For this reason, the Civil Administration actively encourages such
platforms.

Last year, the Civil Administration helped to coordinate a forum on cancer
at Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem, inviting Israeli,
Palestinian and American doctors to participate.

A similar forum was organized at Hadassa Hospital, inviting Palestinian and
Israeli alumni who interned at the hospital to meet again and develop ties.

The Civil Administration is strongly engaged in promoting medical
cooperation between the Israelis and Palestinians, and hopes that successful
exchanges in the field of health will continue to pave the path to peace.

More information on the operations of Civil Administration Staff Officers
can be found at the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories
(COGAT) website, Staff Officers Page.