Main sources of funding (up to 100 words):
Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) receives its primary funding from the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF), the German government, the European Union (EU), and the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Additional support is provided by
the international church-based organizations and various bilateral and multilateral
donors. Contributions from humanitarian aid agencies, philanthropic foundations,
and individual donors further strengthen AVH’s mission, enabling the hospital to
sustain its advanced medical services and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare
for Palestinians throughout the West Bank and Gaza.
Please give details of outstanding work and achievements of the candidate in
health development since the promotion of the global strategy for achieving health
for all by the year 2000, which would qualify the candidate for the Prize and that
extend far beyond the call of normal duties. Attach other sheets if necessary
Outstanding Work and Achievements of Augusta Victoria Hospital in Health
Development
Since the adoption of the global strategy for achieving Health for All, Augusta Victoria
Hospital (AVH) in East Jerusalem has stood as a model of equity, accessibility, and
compassion in healthcare. Operated by the Lutheran World Federation, AVH is a
specialized tertiary care institution that serves over five million Palestinians from the
West Bank and Gaza.
As a vital member of the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network, AVH provides advanced,
life-saving medical services that extend far beyond the call of normal institutional duty,
reaching the most vulnerable populations under conditions of profound political,
economic, and humanitarian challenge. Through its integrated programs in oncology,
nephrology, geriatrics, diabetes care, and mobile community outreach, the hospital
continues to uphold the global vision of Health for All by ensuring that every individual
has access to high-quality, dignified healthcare.
At the heart of AVH’s work lies a profound commitment to service guided by its Vision,
Mission, and Values.
Vision, Mission, and Values
AVH’s vision is of “a world in which people live in peace and dignity, able to meet basic
needs and claim their universal rights.”
Its mission, rooted in Christian service and humanitarian ethics, is to deliver high-
quality, specialized, and community-based healthcare to the Palestinian people
efficiently, sustainably, and inclusively.
AVH is guided by a strong set of core values that shape every aspect of its work:
● Compassion and Commitment – Serving with empathy, dedication, and
humanity, reaching those who suffer and those considered out of reach.
● Inclusion and Diversity – Upholding the value of every person and fostering
equality within both the workplace and the communities served.
● Meaningful Participation – Ensuring that all people, regardless of gender, age, or
ability, are active participants in decisions that affect their health and lives.
● Transparency and Accountability – Maintaining high standards of integrity,
service quality, and continuous improvement, aligned with international
standards.
● Humanitarian Principles – Providing care without discrimination or favoritism,
guided by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
● Gender Justice – Promoting equality and balanced power relations between
women and men, and working to eliminate systems of discrimination.
● Climate Justice – Minimizing environmental impact and protecting vulnerable
populations from the risks of climate change.
Together, these principles underpin Augusta Victoria Hospital’s tireless efforts to
provide compassionate, inclusive, and sustainable healthcare, making it not only a pillar
of the Palestinian health system but also a beacon of humanitarian excellence in the
global movement toward Health for All.
Leadership in Specialized and Comprehensive Care
AVH established the Augusta Victoria Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, the first
and most advanced oncology facility in the Palestinian territories. It provides radiation
therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hematology, pediatric oncology, and integrated
palliative care, treating thousands of patients who would otherwise lack access to such
services. This achievement has transformed cancer care in Palestine and embodies the
spirit of the Health for All strategy by ensuring equitable, high-quality treatment close to
home.
Pioneering Renal and Pediatric Dialysis Services
The hospital operates one of the largest and most advanced nephrology and dialysis
centers in the region, offering lifesaving treatment to adults and children with kidney
failure. It was the first hospital in Palestine to establish a Pediatric Dialysis Unit, setting
new standards for child-centered chronic care and long-term renal support.
Community-Based Mobile Health Services
In 2009, AVH launched a Community-Based Breast Cancer Screening Program,
offering preventive, screening, and curative services using Palestine’s most advanced
digital tomosynthesis system. The program’s Mobile Digital Mammography Unit brings
services to women in rural villages, refugee camps, and marginalized areas, educating
them on self-examination, early detection, and their right to healthcare. Around 30
women benefit daily, with 15 mammography screenings performed, many of which lead
to early interventions and referrals for ultrasound or biopsy at AVH.
In 2014, the hospital also established a Mobile Diabetes Unit, addressing one of
Palestine’s major public health concerns. The unit provides eye and foot screenings,
health education, and counseling, empowering patients to manage diabetes and
prevent complications such as neuropathy and diabetic foot ulcers. These mobile
services embody AVH’s mission to deliver healthcare “where others do not go,”
ensuring outreach to those most in need.
Innovative Home-Based Palliative Care
AVH’s Home-Based Palliative Care Program provides compassionate medical,
psychological, and spiritual support to critically ill and end-of-life patients in their homes.
This initiative alleviates the physical and emotional burden of hospital travel while
ensuring dignity, comfort, and holistic support. The program includes essential medical
equipment, such as oxygen generators, wheelchairs, and specialized bedding,
extending hospital-level care into the community.
Leadership in Infection Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship
Recognizing the threat of antibiotic resistance, AVH established the Antimicrobial
Stewardship Initiative (AMSI) in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Health and
over 30 hospitals. Through training, standardized treatment protocols, and digital
surveillance systems, AVH helped implement a unified national framework for infection
prevention and antibiotic rationalization covering up to 80% of the Palestinian
population. This initiative demonstrates AVH’s national leadership in strengthening
healthcare safety and resilience.
Holistic Patient Support and Education
AVH understands that healing extends beyond medicine. Its Persistence School,
established in 2016, ensures that pediatric patients confined to hospital beds continue
their education. Over 150 young students have attended the school, which offers
individualized learning plans and emotional support, nurturing hope, resilience, and a
sense of normalcy amid illness.
The Volunteer Program, also launched in 2016, mobilizes trained volunteers to welcome
patients, provide meals and emotional comfort, and foster community solidarity.
Through this initiative, AVH strengthens social cohesion and youth engagement in
humanitarian service.
Accommodation and Transportation Services
To overcome severe access restrictions, AVH provides free accommodation for
approximately 140 patients and companions daily in nearby Jerusalem hotels during
intensive treatments such as radiotherapy. Continuous shuttle services connect these
lodgings with the hospital, ensuring uninterrupted care. Another wheelchair-accessible
shuttle service links AVH to the Erez crossing, transporting around 50 patients from
Gaza daily, thereby bridging the gap for those unable to travel independently. These
support systems embody AVH’s commitment to holistic, barrier-free healthcare.
Geriatric and Long-Term Care
AVH also operates a specialized Skilled Nursing and Geriatric Care Department,
offering long-term care for elderly patients with complex conditions. This service fills a
critical gap in the Palestinian health system, promoting dignity, comfort, and quality of
life for the aging population.
Impact and Legacy
With 171 specialized beds and over 6,500 patients treated in 2024, Augusta Victoria
Hospital stands as a cornerstone of Palestinian healthcare and a global example of
excellence under adversity. Through its cancer, renal, diabetes, palliative, geriatric, and
outreach programs, AVH provides not only treatment but also hope, dignity, and
empowerment.
In conclusion, AVH’s pioneering initiatives, unwavering humanitarian service, and
leadership in capacity building exemplify the true spirit of the Health for All vision. Its
dedication to reaching the unreachable and healing with compassion makes Augusta
Victoria Hospital a truly deserving recipient of this prestigious global recognition.
Please outline how the candidate meets the selection criteria set out in the Guidelines
for the Prize.
How Augusta Victoria Hospital Meets the Selection Criteria for the United Arab
Emirates Health Foundation Prize
Since the promotion of the global strategy for achieving Health for All following the
Alma-Ata Declaration in 1978, Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) in East Jerusalem has
embodied the principles of equity, accessibility, and community participation in health
development. Operated by the Lutheran World Federation, AVH has achieved
outstanding accomplishments that extend far beyond its normal institutional duties,
making it a model of humanitarian, ethical, and sustainable healthcare delivery in a
complex and resource-constrained context.
(a) Contribution to the successful formulation and implementation of national
policy and strategy for Health for All
AVH has played a central role in advancing the Palestinian national health strategy by
providing specialized tertiary care services, particularly in oncology, nephrology, and
palliative care, that were previously unavailable in Palestine. By integrating its
programs with the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the East Jerusalem Hospitals
Network, AVH contributes directly to national goals of universal access, equity, and
high-quality healthcare, aligning fully with the Health for All framework.
(b) Promotion of and substantial achievement in advancing health programmes
AVH has achieved major advances in several key health programs:
● Comprehensive Cancer Care: Established the first and most advanced
cancer center in Palestine, offering radiation therapy, chemotherapy,
immunotherapy, and pediatric oncology, reducing dependence on foreign
referrals.
● Nephrology and Pediatric Dialysis: Pioneered pediatric dialysis services in
Palestine and operates one of the largest nephrology units in the region
● Mobile Breast Cancer Screening Program: Since 2009, has provided
preventive, screening, and curative services to thousands of women across rural
and refugee communities using the most advanced digital tomosynthesis system.
● Mobile Diabetes Unit (est. 2014): Provides diabetes prevention, screening, and
management services in underserved communities, addressing a growing public
health concern.
● These initiatives have significantly improved primary and specialized health
care coverage, early disease detection, and treatment outcomes across the
Palestinian territories.
(c) Contribution to increased efficiency and management of health systems
AVH has enhanced the efficiency of the Palestinian health system through:
● The Antibiotic Consumption Rationalization Project (AMSI), conducted in
partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Health, covers up to 80% of the
Palestinian population.
● Establishment of a national microbiology laboratory and infection prevention
protocols, improving diagnostic standards, and rationalizing antibiotic use.
● Implementation of electronic data systems for monitoring infection rates and
antibiotic resistance, contributing to national policy and health governance
improvements.
(d) Innovative programmes to reach socially and geographically disadvantaged
populations
AVH has launched groundbreaking initiatives that directly serve vulnerable and hard-to-
reach populations:
● Mobile Mammography and Diabetes Clinics provide preventive care in rural
and refugee communities.
● The Home-Based Palliative Care Program offers dignified end-of-life care for
patients who are unable to travel.
● Patient Accommodation and Shuttle Services ensure safe, continuous access
to care for patients from the Gaza Strip and remote West Bank communities.
● These programs break barriers of mobility, cost, and access, exemplifying
innovation in inclusive health delivery.
(e) Innovative efforts in training and education of health workers in primary health
care
AVH is a leader in capacity building and health education, training Palestinian
doctors, nurses, and technicians through practical clinical experience and specialized
programs. It also conducts continuing education in infection prevention, palliative
care, and chronic disease management, strengthening national health capacity. The
Persistence School, established in 2016, also embodies AVH’s commitment to holistic
care by providing education for pediatric cancer patients, supporting psychological well-
being and human development even during illness.
(f) Successful and effective efforts in involving communities in planning,
management, and evaluation of health programmes
Community participation is at the core of AVH’s approach. Through its mobile health
units, volunteer program, and community education campaigns, AVH engages
patients, families, and local leaders in planning and implementing healthcare initiatives.
Educational outreach on self-breast examination, diabetes prevention, and
palliative care awareness empowers communities to take ownership of their health,
supporting early detection and prevention strategies.
(g) Development and successful application of health systems research for the
advancement of primary health care
AVH actively contributes to evidence-based health improvement through:
● Research and data collection within the AMSI program to inform national
antibiotic use policies.
● Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of mobile health initiatives to optimize
delivery models.
● Participation in regional and national conferences to share innovations in health
system strengthening, infection control, and chronic disease management.
Conclusion
Augusta Victoria Hospital exemplifies the vision of the United Arab Emirates Health
Foundation Prize by delivering transformative, compassionate, and equitable healthcare
that extends far beyond institutional obligations. Its integrated approach, combining
specialized clinical excellence, outreach innovation, health education, and community
empowerment, has advanced the Palestinian health system in alignment with the global
Health for All strategy. AVH’s achievements stand as a testament to what is possible
when medical excellence is guided by humanity, inclusion, and a deep commitment to
serving those most in need.