12 October 2021, Ramallah: Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mai AlKaila, Minister of Health, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) launched the “Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator Study” that was funded with generous contribution from the Government of Japan, today in Ramallah.
The overall objective of the study is to explore the possibility of introducing a Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator approach to Breast Cancer care in Palestine. Cancer care is complex and requires a multidisciplinary health team to work together in effective way to facilitate diagnosis and treatment services, and to ensure the quality and continuity of care. Identification of the barriers within the cancer care cycle is crucial in cancer care. The Nurse Navigator model is a successful program that will help reduce cancer care barriers experienced by the patients and ensures the continuum of care.
The main objectives are:
• To assess to what extent to which the Nurse Navigator Model is being implemented in Palestine and where the opportunities to expand this model are.
• To create knowledge materials (such as policy paper or similar document) that can easily explain to the stakeholders what a nurse navigator approach is, why it is helpful, and how it could be implemented and/or scaled-up in Palestine.
H.E. Mr. MAGOSHI Masayuki, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to Palestine expressed his gratitude to all partners for their cooperation to support women health sector in Palestine, including UNFPA, MoH, PMRS, Campaign for the Children of Palestine (CCP), Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA). He added: “The Government of Japan is committed to achieving better living conditions for the Palestinian people. This project is considered part of this commitment, and is part of the overall Japanese assistance of around 2.1 billion USD since 1993. Palestinians still need robust support from the international community, especially in Gaza, Area C and East Jerusalem, in light of the severe socio-economic conditions facing them”.
“Breast cancer will continue to be a difficult diagnosis, and continue to lead to anxiety, stress and fear. But we are hopeful that this model will create a system that helps to carry some of the burden and helps women feel less alone” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, UNFPA Representative to Palestine
"This study emphasizes the importance of providing health, psychological and social care for women facing breast cancer, and we insist that Palestinian women have the right to receive full service and care with full respect for their rights and dignity” said Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, President, PMRS.
“We need to reinforce studies on breast cancer in order to increase and raise the quality of services, screening and protocol” said H.E. Dr. Mai AlKaila, Minister of Health.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Kristine Blokhus, UNFPA Representative, Palestine
Tel: + 972 54 9201341, blokhus@unfpa.org
Asmaa Ibrahim, Representative Office of Japan
Tel: + 972 24 13120, asma@rm.mofa.go.jp
Sabreen Abeedallah, PMRS
Tel: (059) 804 14 85, sabreen.abeedallah00@gmail.com
