Paul Calvert found out about the Holy Family hospital



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Dr Tabash: Our costs of keeping a child in intensive care per day is $400 (US dollars), or £200 per baby per day. There aren't people who can afford to pay that rate in this area. This is where the funding from the Order of Malta is going all the time.

Paul: Is there a big percentage of children who end up in intensive care?

Dr Tabash: Because we are a referral hospital for high risk pregnancies for the whole area, 13% of babies delivered in this hospital end up in the natal intensive care unit.

Paul: It must be really nice for you walking around Bethlehem, thinking I delivered this child or I worked with this child.

Dr Tabash: Well yes, I have been a doctor in Bethlehem for over 38 years now.

Paul: Have you studied abroad?

Dr Tabash: Yes I studied in France in Lille back in the 60's. I was born in Bethlehem and went out for my education and came back and here I am.

Paul: You have a chapel here on the grounds of the hospital; is Christianity important for the people here?

Dr Tabash: This is a Christian institution, built by Christians, the daughters of charity and run by a Christian institution which is the Order of Malta. The majority of people who come in are Muslim; 93% of the people who come in are Muslim, but the door is open to anyone who crosses the door irrespective of religion or origin.

Paul: Does political instability affect the hospital?

Dr Tabash: We've had our share of difficulties and closures, curfews and being shot at, but these days things are quieter.

Paul: What's your prayer for the children here in Bethlehem?

Dr Tabash: The only prayer I could say is that they have a future in a free and democratic country called Palestine. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.