Bethlehem University inaugurated on 6 September the building named after Cardinal John Patrick Foley, which will house the “Tarek Ahmed Juffali” Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences. The ceremony was attended by the Palestinian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Abu Mowais, representing Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh.
The Governor of Bethlehem Province Major General Kamel Hmeid, the new Apostolic Delegate for Jerusalem and Palestine Monsignor Adolfo Tito Yllana, the President of Bethlehem University, the Bishop of the Latin Patriarchate Giacinto Boulos Marcuzzo and numerous dignitaries. HE Dr MAHMOUD ABU MOWAIS Palestinian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research “The graduates of Bethlehem University, and of the Faculty of Nursing in particular, have a high level of preparation and have demonstrated their skills in the country’s healthcare facilities. We inaugurate this facility and this building dedicated to Nursing and Health Sciences to testify to the fact that this great University shines thanks to its Faculty.” Minister Abu Mowais explained that the ratio of nurses to inhabitants in Palestine is lower than recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO): 1.7 nurses for every 1,000 citizens, instead of the recommended 3.6. The WHO has estimated that the world would need an additional 9 million nurses and midwives by 2030.
The new five-storey building in Bethlehem houses laboratories, clinics and the only Clinical Simulation Centre in Palestine. MARYAM AWAD Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences “The aim of these clinics is to break the gap between what the student learns in theory and what is applied in the field. Secondly, to integrate the local community through the courses we teach in the Faculty of Nursing as a contribution on our part to raise health awareness in the Bethlehem area, particularly in the marginalised rural and Bedouin areas.” VALERIA SABAT Student at the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences “Right now we are inaugurating the new Faculty of Nursing building, which is very nice and will definitely make us more professional with all the modern and sophisticated equipment inside.” The Vice-President of the University, Dr. Peter Bray, expressed his thanks and gratitude to all those who contributed to the financing of this construction.
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and Suad Al-Husseini Juffali are the main supporters of this project. At the end of the ceremony, the Apostolic Delegate for Palestine, Mgr. Adolfo Tito Yllana, blessed the building. Then, together with Minister Abu Mowais, the Governor of Bethlehem and the Vice President of Bethlehem University, cut the opening ribbon and visited the building. Br Dr PETER BRAY Vice President of Bethlehem University I am very excited for the students and wish them success in using these facilities and services to become true professional nurses and to be able to serve the Palestinian people.
Source: https://cmc-terrasanta.org/
