The Situation Today End of Phase I Local Requirements Phase II of Project The Financial Plan

HISTORY OF THE HOSPITAL

The Sisters and Daughters of Charity have been here in Bethlehemsince 1888, looking after the sick and poor as is their vocation

In 1892, a Turkish Firman was signed between the French Ambassador and the Turkish Mutasarref of Jerusalem This document gave the Sisters of Charity the right of owning theland, the license of the hospital and later, the right oftotal exemption from taxes (Met ylene Agreement) Thesedocuments were later ratified by the successive rulers of theHoly Land.

The hospital, with 85 beds, was for many years thebest in the area with :

• A maternity department. (180 deliveries per month)
• An internal medicine department.
• A general surgery department.
• A Creche for abandoned children.

In February 1985, the hospital closed down due to a series of factors :

• 1- The hospital was old and needed to be renovated,but the capital was not available.
• 2- Political and social factors occurring in the area during the seventies
• 3- Staff problems.
• 4- The whole concept of running the hospital was outdated.

The hospital slowly closed down over a period of several years ending in February 1985, and the nuns left leaving a few to tend the Creche.

In 1986, The Order of Malta offered to rebuild half of the hospital i.e. a 28 bed maternity hospital (Obstetricsand Gynecology). An agreement was reached with the Sisters Of Charity. Work on the renovation started in July 1986.

Where did the patients of the hospital go after its closure ?

The rich patients, went to the private hospitals inJerusalem. The poor and less fortunate patients delivered at home except in case of emergency, with all the complications which this entails.

The reopening of the Holy Family Maternity Hospital will decrease considerably this practice.

It is to be noted, from the World Health Organization statistics, that of the 40% home deliveries there is a 25%infant mortality rate, not counting the high risk of complications to the mothers. Therefore, hospital delivery rate is approximately 60%

The Holy Family Maternity Hospital was inaugurated on the 19th December 1989. The outpatient clinics opened on the 8th January 1990 and the inpatient facility opened on the 26th February l99O.

Between the 26th February 1990 and the 30th April 1990 118 babies were born at the Holy Family Hospital.

Study in the Situation in the Bethlehem Area
Relations with other Institutions

The Situation Today End of Phase I Local Requirements Phase II of Project The Financial Plan