The agreements were signed at the QRCS’s office in Gaza, in the presence of head of mission Dr Akram Nassar and health project officer Dr Heba al-Mahallawi.
The meeting was attended by IU president Dr Adel Awadallah; a representative of Al-Azhar University president, Dr Abdel-Khaliq al-Farra; UCAS dean Dr Rifat Rustom; and top officials of the three universities.
Dr Nassar said QRCS seeks to improve the quality of diagnostic and research services in the field of blood cancer, as well as to help decision-makers and competent authorities to collect accurate data about the use of agricultural pesticides to develop and apply policies to minimise the impact of pesticides on public health.
He pointed out that the cancer research lab of IU will be enhanced with the flow cytometry technology while a diagnostic toxicology lab will be set up at Al Azhar University to examine the correlation between pesticide residue and the increasing morbidity rates in Gaza over the past few years.
According to Dr Nassar, UCAS nursing lab will be supported with equipment and furniture that simulate the work environment at hospitals and primary health care centres to train more than 700 students in Gaza.
A medical equipment maintenance training centre will also be established for UCAS with direct contacts with the training centres of global medical equipment manufacturers to train future student specialists.
The partners appreciated the positive role played by QRCS to develop the health and education sectors of Palestine and to overcome the difficulties suffered by the Palestinians amid siege and restrictions.
The partners hoped that the new projects would upgrade the quality of diagnostic services in the health sector and develop medical education and research in Gaza.
QRCS and university officials meet in Gaza
Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has funded the purchase of medical equipment for specialist labs at the Islamic University (IU), Al Azhar University, and University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS) in Gaza, pegged at around $500,000.
