Ramallah, 22 March 2016 – The Government of Japan and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, announced today the launching of a project to Combat Breast Cancer in Palestine. The project will be implemented by UNFPA and CCP Japan (Campaign for the Children of Palestine) with financial support of USD 1,130,000 by the Government of Japan.  

UNFPA and CCP Japan (Campaign for the Children of Palestine) will form a unique partnership, and will be working with the Ministry of Health and other national partners in the West Bank and Gaza to offer Palestinian women better chances for early detection, high quality care and psycho-social support after being diagnosed. 

“The Japanese Government and its people are pleased to support this project that aims at providing sustainable continuum of services leading to shortening time from detection to the start of treatment among affected women. The project interventions will all lead to improving the quality of life of women affected by breast cancer particularly improving their positive coping and self-esteem” said Mr. Takeshi Okubo, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to the Palestinian Authority. “The Government of Japan has committed to a new support to Palestinian people with the amount of USD 78,210,200 through the partnerships with international organizations and Japanese NGOs, and this project is a part of it. It’s worth noting that this project is the first collaboration between an International organization and a Japanese NGO in Palestine. I look forward to seeing the greater success of the project by putting their capacities together”, he added. 

The project aims to achieve the following programmatic objectives:

• Improve women’s awareness on prevention of breast cancer and equip them with knowledge and skills for self-breast exam;

• Enhance the capacity of primary healthcare providers in clinical breast exam and uptake of this service at selected facilities;

• Increase capacity and uptake of breast cancer screening services in the West Bank and Gaza;

• Improve treatment programmes at selected facilities; 

• Increase effectiveness and efficiency of referral system; and  

• Improve coping of women living with breast cancer.  

 

“Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Palestine, and the first for women cancers in terms of mortality and morbidity” said Mr. Anders Thomsen, UNFPA Representative to Palestine, “High proportion of cases are detected within the late stages of the disease due to challenges in early detection practices and services. Access to care is further compromised by mobility restrictions, especially for women from Gaza”, he added. “Through working with CCP and Palestinian partners, UNFPA will support integration of services to comprehensive model of care for the many Palestinian women affected by breast cancer”, he added. 

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For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Anders Thomsen, UNFPA Representative, State of Palestine 

Tel: + 972 54 9201341  thomsen@unfpa.org

 

Ziad Yaish, UNFPA Assistant Representative, State of Palestine

Tel: + 972 54  8174018 yaish@unfpa.org

 

Zain Jarrar , Representative Office of Japan to the P.A.

Tel: + 972 224 13120  zain@mofa.go.jp

 

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About UNFPA:  UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA works in over 150 countries and territories to expand the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives. 

About CCP Japan :  CCP Japan is a registered Japanese NGO established in 1986, and it has been providing support for Palestine children in education, health and social services as well as promoting their rights and protection with the thorough people-centered approach.