The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Palestinian Patients Attending Selected Governmental Hospitals: An Analysis of Hospital Records

Mousa Atary () and Niveen M. E. Abu-Rmeileh
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Mousa Atary: Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Ramallah P.O. Box 14, Palestine
Niveen M. E. Abu-Rmeileh: Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Ramallah P.O. Box 14, Palestine

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 2, 1-10

Abstract: Introduction: Confronting the COVID-19 epidemic forced the closure or relocation of the majority of health facilities. It is likely that non-COVID-19 patients suffered collateral effects. Methods: The clinic and operating room records were analyzed at selected Palestinian government hospitals in the West Bank region. Results: The reduction in patient clinic visits varied from 49% to 90%, with Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT), urology, and pediatric clinics being the most affected. The reduction in operation numbers in the center (which had independent decision-making) ranged from 7.1% to 23.4%, but in the north and south (which followed centralized choices), the reduction ranged from 19.6% to 91.8%. Conclusions: COVID-19 affected outpatient visits. The pandemic affected some services, but West Bank hospitals were able to provide normal obstetric and gynecological treatments and help patients who needed primary or intermediate surgery.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; outpatient clinics; operation deferral; lockdown; shifting of resources; Palestinian Authority (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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