The Palestinian Authority opposes criticism of vaccine distribution

The PA has reiterated that its first vaccinations would go to medical staff and elderly patients, who are at increased risk of serious illness or death. But so far it has only received enough doses to accommodate 6,000 people in a population of nearly 5 million.

“We have focused from the beginning on health workers, but there are about 100,000” in the West Bank and Gaza, Health Minister Mai Alkaila told reporters Tuesday. “It’s not enough.”

The Ministry of Health says it has received tens of thousands more through the World Health Organisation’s program designed to support poor countries and through agreements with pharmaceutical companies, but they have not yet had to arrive in the following weeks. of delay.

Israel, which has faced international criticism for not sharing its large stock with Palestinians living in areas it has been under control for more than half a century, has given 2,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine. The PA received another 10,000 doses of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine. Both are given in two doses.

Under the terms of Oslo Accords, Ramallah is responsible for the health care of his own population and has reiterated that he is receiving his own vaccines.

The Independent Commission for Human Rights and Times, another Palestinian body that promotes transparency, has issued statements calling on the Palestinian government to explain the criteria used for the vaccines.

The ICHR said it had recorded cases where the vaccine was dispensed “based on mediation and personal relationships, without reasonable medical priority,” as well as cases where officers had helped their relatives to vaccinate. obtained without medical justification.

Alkaila said 2,000 doses had been sent to Gaza, which is controlled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas and is under Israeli-Egyptian blockade. She said another 200 doses were sent to the adjoining royal court in Jordan, without giving details.

Of the remaining 9,800 doses, she said 90% were given to health workers. The rest went to security forces defending President Mahmoud Abbas – who is 85 – and Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. They also went to senior members of the Palestinian Liberation Group over 65, as well as civil servants preparing for upcoming elections later this year.

Alkaila said vaccines have also been given to members of the national football team to allow them to represent the Palestinians in international matches, and to students who need vaccine qualifications to study abroad.

She acknowledged that authorities had erred in giving the vaccines to at least two journalists in Bethlehem but said they had violated rules and had been held to it.

The Palestinian Authority was established in the 1990s as part of agreements with Israel to administer parts of the West Bank and Gaza, areas captured by Israel in the 1967 war that the Palestinians want for the future of the state. Under these agreements, the PA has responsibility for health care in the areas it administers, but both sides must cooperate in combating pandemics.

As Palestinian hopes for independence have waned over the past two decades, the PA has become less popular and more authoritarian – with senior officials widely seen neglecting the national cause while enjoying cooperation with Israel. Abbas’ command expired more than a decade ago, and no general elections have been held in 15 years.

Palestinians have reported nearly 190,000 cases and at least 2,063 deaths since the outbreak began, and the PA imposed new restrictions this week in response to the high number of cases.