The Palestinian Ministry of Health, established in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, is primarily responsible for the healthcare system in the West Bank, while maintaining some level of administration of and support for medical services in the Gaza Strip. [1][2][3][4]
The foundation of the Palestinian Authority in 1994, upon the signing of the Oslo Accords, led to a shift in authority responsibilities of the healthcare system from the Israeli Administration to the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Ministry of Health was founded and since then, the ministry provides majority of health services to the population. [5]
Currently, the ministry is one of Palestine's four key healthcare providers along with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, non-governmental organizations, and private sector, and in 2013 was operating 27 hospitals and 61% of hospital beds in Palestine.[6] In 2023 it was reported by the Palestinian Central Bureau for Statistics that the number of primary health care centres increased from 706 centres in 2010 to reach 765 centres in 2021, of which the Ministry of Health bears the greatest burden; 64% of the primary centres are affiliated to the Ministry of Health, followed by NGOs by 25%, UNRWA by 9% and Military Medical Services by 2%.[7]
From 2019 to 2024, Dr. Mai al-Kaila was the Minister of Health of Palestine. From 2024 until now, this responsibility has been entrusted to Maged Abu Ramadan.
Improving strategic planning, governance, and sustainable financial solutions to optimize the use of available resources
Encouraging healthier lifestyles and enhancing chronic disease management.
Ensuring equitable access to high-quality healthcare, with a focus on disadvantaged and vulnerable populations.
Strengthening financial sustainability through improved funding mechanisms and transparent financial management.
Maximizing the impact of aid by aligning it with national health strategies.
Fostering collaboration and integration between the public and private healthcare sectors.
Expanding cross-sector cooperation, particularly in health-related aspects of national disaster and emergency response planning.
Recent activities
The Ministry of Health prioritized services focused on overall health such as emergency medical services, and over 13,000 emergency procedures were performed since October 2023. The Health Cluster was also effectively implemented which is a unified platform that brings together local and international health stakeholders in Palestine to coordinate crisis response and recovery efforts.[9]
From 14 October to 5 November 2024, UNICEF, in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Health and other organizations, carried out the second phase of a polio immunization drive in the Gaza Strip. The campaign was rolled out in three stages and utilized both health center-based vaccination sites and mobile units to ensure wide coverage. A total of 556,774 children - approximately 271,710 girls and 285,064 boys—were immunized, successfully reaching 94% of the intended child population. The effort was supported by 1,174 vaccination teams operating across the region.[10]
In March 2025, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Government of Japan, launched a US$3.8 million initiative to enhance health and nutrition services for vulnerable populations in Gaza and the West Bank. This 12-month project aims to provide critical primary health care to approximately 180,000 children, women, and families. Key components include revitalizing primary health care services, improving antenatal and postnatal care, managing childhood illnesses, delivering essential nutrition interventions, training 300 health professionals, and establishing four mobile health teams to reach remote communities.[11]
List of ministers
The following is the list of health ministers of Palestine:[12]
↑UNICEF. (2024, October 31). State of Palestine Humanitarian Situation Report No. 32. https://www.unicef.org/media/165531/file/State-of-Palestine-Humanitarian-SitRep-No.32-31-October-2024.pdf
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