BMAQ Launches Second Phase of Free Medical Campaigns in Villages and Bedouin Communities across Jerusalem Governorate

Jerusalem - The Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ), the executive arm of the Al-Quds Committee chaired by HisMajesty King Mohammed VI, has launched the second phase of its free medical campaign programme in villages and Bedouin communities across Jerusalem Governorate. The campaign began in Biddu, northwest of Jerusalem, and aims to expand residents’ access to essential healthcare services.

In a press release issued on Monday, the Agency explainedthat the second phase builds on the achievements of the initial campaign and addresses the ongoing need for healthcareservices in areas on the outskirts of Jerusalem, particularly in communities where access to medical care remains difficult.

Around 150 residents benefited from the first day of the second phase, organised with the support of Morocco’sAkdital Healthcare Group and in partnership with Astra LabLaboratories. Services included consultations in paediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and ophthalmology, as well as medical examinations and laboratory tests carried out using a mobile laboratory accompanying the campaign.

According to BMAQ, the second phase is structured aroundthree main areas of intervention. The first, in October, focuseson breast cancer awareness and early detection, combiningmobile clinic services with awareness sessions on the importance of self-examination and timely screening. The second, scheduled for November, addresses men’s health and chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and heartdisease, with a particular emphasis on diabetes prevention and management and the importance of healthy eating. The third, planned for December, focuses on the health needs of olderpeople and persons with disabilities. It will include mental health consultations, awareness sessions on the effects of psychological stress, and workshops on home-basedhealthcare for caregivers.

According to BMAQ, the second phase is organised aroundthree areas of focus. In October, activities centre on breastcancer awareness and early detection, combining mobile clinicservices with awareness sessions on breast self-examinationand screening. November’s programme addresses men’shealth and chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, alongside guidance on diabetes preventionand management and healthy nutrition. In December, activities will focus on the health needs of older people and persons with disabilities, including mental healthconsultations, awareness sessions on psychological stress, and home healthcare training for caregivers..

Mufida Mohammed Hamdan, head of the Women and Child Centre in Biddu, said the campaign was organised in coordination with BMAQ, Jerusalem Governorate, BidduMunicipality, the Women’s Centre and the local sports club. It aims to extend healthcare services to communities acrossnorthwestern Jerusalem, including Al-Qubeiba and Qatanna.

She added that the campaign coincided with Pink October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and included an awarenesssession for around 120 women on the importance of earlydetection. Medical services included general medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as laboratory tests.

Hamdan commended BMAQ and the Kingdom of Moroccofor their support for local healthcare services and called for the campaigns to continue year-round and expand to include the provision of medicines.

Dalia Jaradat, director of Astra Lab Laboratories in Palestine, highlighted the campaign’s combination of health awarenessand medical screening, underscoring the importance of earlydetection and regular check-ups throughout the year.

She noted that the campaigns help identify the healthcareneeds of communities northwest of Jerusalem and bringessential medical services closer to residents whose movementis restricted by checkpoints and other barriers. She emphasisedthe need to sustain these initiatives and ensure regular accessto a variety of medical services. She also praised BMAQ and the Kingdom of Morocco for their continued support for the healthcare sector and their efforts to promote health awarenessamong Jerusalemites within their own communities.

Mowaffaq Al-Khatib, head of the West Jerusalem Youth Unit at Jerusalem Governorate, stressed the importance of free medical campaigns in alleviating the health and financialburdens on residents, particularly amid restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation and persistent barriers to accessingmedical care.

Al-Khatib expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, as well as its government and people, and to BMAQ for organising the campaign in partnership with JerusalemGovernorate. He called for sustained support and expandedhealthcare, education and agricultural initiatives to strengthenJerusalemites’ resilience, particularly in isolated rural communities northwest of Jerusalem.

Manal Ibrahim Badwan, one of the campaign’s beneficiaries, said the initiative helps ease the financial burden on residents, given the high cost of medical examinations and consultations at private clinics, where fees can reach around 200 shekels (approximately US$64).

Badwan voiced hope that the campaigns would continue and broaden their services to include additional medical tests and access to medicines, particularly for families whose childrenrequire ongoing treatment.

Local resident Yusra Mohammed Ali Alwan said she hadbenefited from an eye examination and medical advice, notingthat the availability of healthcare services in the town helpsresidents reduce treatment costs and avoid the burden of travelling to access care, particularly those requiring regularmedication.

Alwan called for the continuation and expansion of theseinitiatives to provide free medicines to residents who cannotafford them. She also expressed her gratitude to BMAQ and the Kingdom of Morocco for organising the campaign.

BMAQ launched the first phase of its medical campaignprogramme on 15 February as part of its annual social assistance initiative. The phase comprised 24 medical outreachdays across 31 areas of Jerusalem Governorate, reachingapproximately 2,500 residents, with more than 100 patients referred to hospitals for further treatment.