As a Leading Palestinian Non-Governmental Health and Developmental Organization, Health Work Committees works in a Rights-Based Approach providing Health Services and building development models to all segments of the Palestinian Population particularly the poor and the marginalized; and, lobbying and advocating in support of favorable policies and legislations for the realization of free democratic society and its citizens enjoying their social rights.
Health Work Committees (HWC) is a non-governmental health and development organization. It was established in 1985 by a group of Palestinian volunteers who worked in the health sector for the purpose of meeting the health care needs of the Palestinian population living under Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In 2003 it was registered as an NGO in the Palestinian Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health.
HWC has a General assembly (GA) that includes over 200 members. The Assembly meets annually to evaluate work development as well as the audited financial statements and strategic issues. The Board of Director consists of nine members elected by the general assembly every two years. HWC services benefited more than 400,000 beneficiaries and according the organization’s new indicators, HWC has patient coverage accounted for 15% of the total number of patients in the West Bank. Services are provided through its 270 full time employees, and over 150 part time and contracted medical professionals.
HWC believes in the value of the Palestinian human and his/her right to a comprehensive health system as a basic human right based on all international human rights conventions and agreements. Therefore it provides health and development services in 17 health centers and clinics throughout the West Bank, seven centers in the North, and five in the Middle and five in Southern West Bank. These centers range from small clinics to a day surgery hospital that provides health services through general medicine, laboratory, radiology, surgery, and specialities.
