(Communicated by COGAT - Coordniator of Government Activities in the Territories)

On Friday, 22 November 2013, Palestinian children with cancer were treated to a day-long outing with their families in Tel Aviv. The day was organized by Salametcom ("Be Healthy") as well as the staff officers of the Health Department in the Civil Administration. The day provided the children with a brief respite, allowing them to forget about their daily treatments and hospital routine.

The day began with a trip to the Florentin Circus in Kfar Yarok where the children enjoyed the rides and attractions available there, although the clear favorite was the soap bubble pool. They then had lunch on the Jaffa Promenade. The day ended with a special beach party for all the families.




  Beach party for Palestinian children with cancer
  Copyright: COGAT


Because the health infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority is still developing, and not always able to provide everyone's needs, there are many sick Palestinians who receive top notch healthcare in hospitals within Israel. COGAT ensures that those who cannot be adequately treated by the Palestinian Authority receive the treatment they need. In order for these children suffering from cancer to be provided with the best health care possible, specialized oncology treatment in the Israeli hospital Hadassah Ein Kerem is coordinated between the Health Office of the Civil Administration and the Palestinian Authority Health Office.

Dalia Bassa, coordinator of the Health Office for the Civil Administration, is responsible for all aspects of coordination and communication between the respective sides.

"I believe that both the children and their families received a unique experience today, something that is not always possible for children with these medical conditions," said Bassa. "Medical treatment is not just about the actual medicine, there must be more. There also needs to be something that gives them the strength to keep fighting. We in COGAT try to do everything we can in order to ease the way that these children receive their treatment, so that they can save their strength for fighting their illness," concluded Bassa. "From days like today, these children get renewed strength that provides them with hope for many more days."