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The Holy Family Hospital is a maternity hospital owned and operated by the Order of Malta since 1989. It is located in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, approx. 500 yards from the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The hospital provides a comprehensive neonatal intensive care unit for premature infants. The hospital opens its doors to everyone regardless of national origin, religion or ability to pay.
Holy Family Hospital is a referral hospital to four refugee camps operated by the United Nations Relief Works Agency. 25% of those served reside in refugee camps.
An average of 13% of the deliveries at the hospital must be admitted into the intensive care unit (the only one in the region).
Holy Family Hospital operates Mobile Outreach Clinics to remote areas. The fully equipped van provides medical care, medicines to families living cut off from society. These families live in total destitution with neither water nor electricity.
Palestine, with an unemployment rate of 75%, has neither a social welfare nor health insurance system. For those unable to pay, charges are waived which leaves an annual deficit of approx. US$2m to be found by the Order of Malta.
Order of Malta Holy Family Hospital, Bethlehem. Ireland provides some financial support for the hospital but it is primarily concerned with the provision of midwifery training and professional education to Holy Family Hospital in conjunction with the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street and Bethlehem University.
