Nursing in Palestine

The Turkish rule ( ) Palestine was under the Turkish rule for about 400years (dark period) Herbs and popular medicine were generally used for treating diseases Treatment by native practitioners depending very much on trial and error Hospitals were set up by religions orders mainly Christian, foreign governments.

For example: Al-watani hospital in 1905 The French and German hospitals in Jerusalem Barracks and tents were used for patients who suffered from contagious diseases Nurses were trained by physicians

The British mandate (1921 – 1948) British brought public health laws and scantyهزيل health services to meet some of the needs of the Palestine people in major cities. Palestinian people continued to suffer from ignorance and sickness. Spafford baby home was established in 1925 in Jerusalem city. In this hospital, a nurses training program was started

Some hospitals were established in major cities in Palestine. Government general hospital in Jaffa city British nurses taught Arab girls nursing for 3 years. Girls who studied nursing where mainly from well known Christian families. Graduated nurse were offered certificates from the department of health, government of Palestine. British government hospital in Jerusalem city had nursing school (3 years training program).

After war Swedish hospital offered 3 years training program for nurses From 1948 – 1953 graduated nurses were granted their certificate by the Jordan ministry.

Jordanian control over west bank including East Jerusalem 1948 – 1967, Egyptian control of Gaza First nursing school for staff nurses were established in 1951 at Augusta Victoria hospital in Jerusalem. Saint john school for practical nurses in Saint Luke School for practical nurses in 1965.

In Gaza: - Baptist school of nursing was established in –Initiation of the Palestine nursing association (PNA) in 1956 in Jerusalem by the staff nurse Betty majaj. –PNA obtained membership in the international council for nurses in England. –1960 Mrs. Rafidi became the representative of the PNA.

1- Obtain and coordinate scholarship for nurses with the world heath organization. 2- Develop and promote exchange programs for nurses with other countries. - Later (JNA) was established in Amman city under Miss. Mussalems' supervision. While Mrs. Rafidi continued to direct the PNA in Jerusalem till 1967.

Israeli occupation of west bank and Gaza strip in 1967 till now:- After the six day war in June All health service institution runs by the Jordanian government or the Egyptian government were taken over the Israeli government. - Nurses worked in the government institutions suffered from low salaries, poor promotions, and limited continuing education opportunities. - Nurses worked in the non- government institutions received better salaries but also limited continuing education opportunities till eighties.

- Differences in regulations, rules, followed by both kinds of institutions, lack of communication between nurses working in these institutions resulted gap among those nurses, till late eighties and early nineties - Many highly populated refugee camps were created and suffered from complex health this lead to increase number of nurses through establish

Some nursing schools for example:- * Late sixties the caritas baby hospital nursing school. * In seventies, Ibn sina governmental nursing school. * Al Makassad School of nursing * Al Hukama practical nursing school in Gaza * Al – Ittihad School in 1976 * Nursing college at Bethlehem University started in * Arab college of medical professions in 1979

- Nursing was very much affected by the outbreak of the Palestinians uprising in Economy weakened by strikes, curfews حظر التجول and restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities indirectly affected nursing:- 1- Several practical nursing schools were established, this effect nursing because:- Not all selected students were committed to the nursing profession. Not all programs were of the desired quality

2- The need for more specialization in nursing especially in ICU, O.R, ER, Psychiatric nursing. 3- Nursing become more respected and appreciated by the Palestinian society.

Social forces and nursing -Movement of nursing from charitable خيري responsibility to paid occupation. -Task of slavery to a service for God مهمة العبودية لخدمة الله - Care of sick in institution help nurses to develop and paid.

Industrial revolution affects nursing:- Need for more nurses and hospitals- more technology and use of computers – prevention and promotion.

Factors that presently affect nursing 1- Knowledge ……….. Research, education 2- Specialization……….. ICU, CCU 3- Demand from society, political, economical status 4- Autonomy ………. Nursing profession is adjunct to medicine this lead to struggle between nurses and doctors. 5- Economics ………consumer demands (health is a right of all people, not just a privilege of the rich)

6 - Family structure 7 - Science and technology 8 - Legislation 9 - Demography 10 - Nursing Association

Future of nursing Improve their knowledge and practice through research Workshops, conferences, interactions Independent and autonomous Specialization Accountability Responsibility Prevention of diseases