The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
New rehabilitation centres enhance healthcare access in the West Bank
Two new rehabilitation centres will serve 700,000 residents in the West Bank – improving access to much-needed healthcare services at a critical time.
Access to rehabilitation services across the West Bank is critically limited – with less than one rehabilitation bed available for every 100,000 individuals, and the majority of existing services provided solely by non-governmental organizations.
At the same time, the number of individuals requiring rehabilitation continues to grow. Ongoing hostilities and violence have resulted in an increasing number of patients suffering from traumatic injuries, while chronic diseases such as diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular conditions have led to a rise in physical and neurological impairments.
Jointly implemented with the World Health Organization (WHO) and under the leadership of the Palestinian Ministry of Health, UNOPS, with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has rehabilitated two new state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation outpatient centres in Ramallah and Qabatiya.
The centres will serve an estimated 700,000 residents across the two governorates and neighbouring communities and directly address the rising demand for specialized neurological rehabilitation services – providing crucial support for adults living with conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.
“Today marks the launch of a vital rehabilitation project that will leave a lasting impact on countless Palestinians,” said the Minister of Health Dr. Majed Abu Ramadan.
Through robust partnerships and a shared commitment, we can address the pressing challenges facing the Palestinian health sector and ensure that all people receive the care, dignity and support they deserve.
By addressing the significant gap in outpatient neurorehabilitation services across northern and central West Bank, these centres will contribute not only to patients' clinical recovery but also to broader goals of community reintegration and inclusive health development.
Karuna Herrmann, Director of the UNOPS Jerusalem Office, said: “UNOPS is proud to have supported the Ministry of Health and KOICA in turning this initiative into a functioning reality. Our role focused on ensuring high-quality infrastructure and coordinated delivery – the building blocks that make sustainable public rehabilitation services possible.”
To staff the new centres, the Ministry of Health has recruited twenty-eight medical professionals. Each centre employs multidisciplinary teams comprising specialists in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and mental health. The teams have been trained by WHO's local and international consultants to deliver evidence-based rehabilitation interventions.
“This centre is a turning point for rehabilitation services in the West Bank,” said Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory. “It brings essential, life-changing care into the public health system and sets a precedent for how rehabilitation should be integrated across all levels of care,” he added.
Each centre is expected to deliver 50-60 therapeutic rehabilitation sessions daily, totaling 250-300 weekly. These sessions will provide individualized programmes focused on restoring function, promoting independence and enhancing the overall quality of life of patients.
“This project stands as a testament to what we can achieve through effective collaboration and long-standing partnership,” said Youngkul Koh, Head of the Representative Office of the Republic of Korea to Palestine. “I look forward to continuing this important cooperation to serve those who need it most,” he added.
