The Mission
The Israel~Palestinian Cooperative for Economic Expansion (IPCEE) is a Connecticut based 501(c)(3) formed in 2011. IPCEE’s mission is to facilitate mutually beneficial activities that help strengthen capacity and foster cross-border individual and institutional relationships. Ultimately IPCEE’s purposes support activities that lead to the realization of an independent Palestinian State
, living peacefully, side-by-side with the democratic State of Israel. Background
Our activities are primarily centered in Israel with a focus placed on the medical sector in and between Israel and the Palestinian West Bank. During the years 2011/2012, IPCEE explored the political and medical landscape in the Palestinian West Bank and Israel. We formed essential relationships with highly-rated hospitals and leaders in both the private and public sectors. In 2013, IPCEE sponsored its first of three joint medical conferences in nephrology to benefit Israeli and Palestinian physicians. These efforts culminated in 2014/2015 with the establishment of the first cross-border medical association known as The Palestinian and Israeli Renal Society (PAIRS), which received an endorsement from The International Society of Nephrology. PAIRS serves as the model for the formation of additional associations in a variety of medical specialties. IPCEE’s work is in close cooperation with The Israel School of Military Medicine (ISMM) and The Health Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT*). The collaboration among IPCEE, ISMM and COGAT resulted in a landmark achievement during “Operation Brother’s Keeper” in June 2014. While the Israel Defense Forces were in full force searching for the three kidnapped teenagers in the West Bank, twenty-two Palestinian physicians gathered at an Israeli/Palestinian checkpoint to board a bus, which would transport them to the IDF headquarters for Israel’s central command in Tel HaShomer. Upon arrival, the Palestinian doctors, Israeli Medical faculty and IDF MediCore from ISMM, began the precedent-setting two-day training in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). These doctors received instruction from the ISMM, which is certified by the American College of Surgeons. This two-day training received the direct support of Israel’s Surgeon General, Brigadier General Dr. Itzik Kryce. IPCEE is now ready to launch an even more robust health care initiative, Peace Through Medicine (PTM), a synergistic initiative that offers a pragmatic approach based on shared needs that deliver mutual benefits. At its core, IPCEE believes that fostering stability and sustainability are two essential goals for both Palestinians and Israelis, regardless of the potential realization of “two-state solution.” Strengthening critical healthcare infrastructure and institutional capacity in the region facilitates medical self-reliance for the Palestinians while reducing the burden on Israeli medical and security institutions and providing significant cost savings. Having spent several years setting the groundwork, IPCEE along with our overseas partners have identified the following two critical objectives on which to focus.
• Challenge: A Shortage of Physicians in Israeli Hospitals Limits Treatment for Israelis and the Increasing Number of Palestinian Patients Receiving Treatment in Israel. Over the past two years, Israel has issued more than 500,000 medical permits to West Bank Palestinian patients and their families for treatment in Israeli hospitals. Although Israel’s humanitarian efforts save lives, the escalating number of Palestinian patients treated in Israeli hospitals pose extraordinary security considerations, the significant financial risk for Israel and Israeli hospitals, and impedes the development of Palestinian medical self-reliance. Complicating this growing reliance of West Bank Palestinians on medical treatment in Israeli hospitals is a severe shortage of physicians in Israel. Between 2000 and 2009 the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), reported no growth in the physician per capita ratio in Israel, compared to a global average of 1.7% growth in developed countries. Action Plan: Advanced Fellowships for Palestinian Physicians Placed in Israeli Partner Hospitals. PTM will sponsor the education and training of Palestinian physicians assigned to both an Israeli partner hospital and a strategic Palestinian hospital in the West Bank. Encouraging Palestinian and Israeli doctors to work side-by-side fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of their respective needs and communities. Ongoing symposia are provided to build aptitude for both Palestinian and Israeli medical personnel. Addressing these core issues systematically fortifies healthcare capacity in the Palestinian West Bank for greater sustainability and self-reliance. Additionally, this assures increased preparedness for natural disasters and conflict.
• Challenge: The Need for On-Site Licensed Biomedical Equipment Technicians (BMETs) in Israeli Hospitals. BMETs are the individuals responsible for repairing, maintaining and installing upwards of 85% of a hospital’s life-saving diagnostic and therapeutic biomedical equipment. The cost of outside technical service providers accounts for approximately 80% of Israeli hospitals purchased-service spending and up to 25% of operating expenses. Equipment downtime, failure, and disasters can set off a chain of events all adding to the financial stress Israeli hospitals are experiencing today. Action Plan: PTM is introducing a new occupation, licensed BMETs, in Israel and the West Bank. Licensed BMETs enable hospitals to maintain and repair the majority of biomedical equipment found in developed countries. IPCEE has partnered with Texas-based MediSend International, to offer a six-month intensive BMET certification program approved by the US BMET Board of Examiners and the United States Certification Commission. Immediately upon graduating the BMETs will be prepared to install, repair, maintain, calibrate and operate biomedical equipment found in their respective hospitals. Each graduate will return to Israeli and Palestinian hospitals with the MediSend Biomedical Equipment Test and Repair Kit™. Containing over 4,000 laboratory repair tools, supply items and state-of-the-art testing and calibration equipment specifically designed for each participating partner hospital, the BMET Test and Repair Kit will enable the technicians to perform their duties and fill the hospital’s needs from day one. IPCEE has found common ground and has formed strategic partnerships which will benefit Israeli and Palestinian medical personnel. Toward achieving PTM’s two objectives, IPCEE has secured a signed Memorandum of Understanding with Hadassah Medical Center Ein Kerem, Emek Medical Center in Afula, and MediSend International. We have also established a personal relationship with An-Najah National University Hospital, in Nablus. IPCEE coordinates and collaborates directly with the IDF Medical Corps, the Israel School of Military Medicine, Israel’s Ministry of Health, key Israeli and Palestinian leaders, strategically placed hospitals and Districts within Israel and the West Bank, and the Health Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). The need is urgent when a patient needing surgery requires well-trained doctors. A defibrillator has to work immediately. A premature newborn cannot wait for one single breath. Your support will enable Israeli and Palestinian hospitals to save millions of dollars and help foster security through peace and stability between Israel and the Palestinian West Bank. To achieve these positive outcomes, we require your support.
