For the first time in Gaza.. The final examination for the Palestinian Board in Psychiatry was held

The administration of Al-Shifa Medical Complex announced an unprecedented medical and educational achievement in the Gaza Strip, where the final examination for the Palestinian Board in Psychiatry was organized for the first time within the Strip. The examination ceremonies were held in full coordination with the Palestinian Medical Council in Ramallah via 'Zoom' video conferencing technology.

Medical sources confirmed that this event represents a fundamental pillar in the development of specialized Palestinian human cadres, emphasizing that investing in the Palestinian individual is the ultimate goal of the health system. This success comes amidst severe challenges facing the health sector as a result of the siege and continuous aggression.

For his part, the Director-General of the General Administration of Mental Health and head of the Scientific Committee, Abdullah Al-Jamal, explained that holding this examination is the culmination of the efforts of the first cohort in this precise specialization. Al-Jamal considered this step to be the first fruit of the Palestinian national training program directly supervised by the Medical Council.

The halls of Al-Shifa Medical Complex witnessed the two female doctors, Safaa Shaqoura and Mai Abdel Aal, taking the examination, making them the first two candidates to obtain this higher specialized certificate from within the Gaza Strip. This progress reflects the determination of female medical competencies to excel in complex scientific fields despite all obstacles.

A specialized scientific committee, including Dr. Yasser Al-Shaer and Dr. Amal Abu Abada, supervised the examination process. Field follow-up was also carried out by Dr. Tawfiq Salman, responsible for the Examinations Committee in the Palestinian Medical Council for Psychiatry, to ensure integrity and academic standards.

The Scientific Committee expressed its deep appreciation to the office of the Palestinian Medical Council in Gaza, which accompanied the trainee doctors throughout their preparation period. Officials praised the efforts made to organize and ensure the success of the examination committees under the exceptional circumstances experienced by the medical sector in Gaza.

This academic achievement comes at a time when the health sector is suffering from systematic targeting that has affected both facilities and medical personnel. This targeting has led to an exacerbation of humanitarian crises and a sharp deterioration in health services provided to citizens due to a lack of resources and equipment.

Official statistics issued by the Ministry of Health indicate that the occupation army has killed more than 1701 medical personnel since October 2023. These figures reflect the magnitude of the sacrifices made by the Palestinian health sector in order to continue providing medical and educational services.

Despite these heavy human losses, medical institutions in Gaza insist on continuing training and higher education programs to ensure that hospitals are supplied with rare specializations. Psychiatry is considered one of the vital specializations urgently needed by Palestinian society due to successive psychological traumas.

The successful holding of the Board examination in Gaza sends a strong message about the ability of Palestinian institutions to overcome geographical division and work in a spirit of teamwork. Doctors in Gaza affirm that the path of knowledge will not stop, and that building specialized cadres is the optimal response to attempts to ignorant and destroy society.

Our capital is the Palestinian individual, and we will continue to invest in them as long as we live.