4 December 2025, Ramallah — A newly renovated acute male ward was inaugurated today at Bethlehem Psychiatric Hospital, expanding access to essential mental health care for Palestinians in need of urgent and specialized support.
The upgrade to the facility was made possible through support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), under leadership of the Ministry of Health.
For years, the acute male ward had remained unused due to extensive needs for renovation and maintenance. WHO rehabilitated and upgraded the second floor of the ward, allowing it to reopen for clinical services for the first time in many years.
The acute male ward can now serve approximately 25 inpatients with acute or severe mental disorders requiring short-term admission of around two weeks. WHO has also supported the development of clear clinical protocols for admission and discharge to ensure quality and continuity of care.
“The launch of the acute male ward is a critical step towards improving access to quality mental health care,” said Dr Majed Abu Ramadan, Minister of Health. “At a time when our health system is under immense pressure, expanding mental health services reflects our commitment to resilience, inclusion, and the right to health for all."
The latest expansion at the Bethlehem Psychiatric Hospital is part of an ongoing KOICA-supported project that aims to promote the mental well-being of the Palestinians by strengthening comprehensive, integrated, and inclusive mental health services across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and Gaza.
"For the past 30 years, KOICA has worked alongside the people of Palestine to support their well-being and healing, said Minjong Kim, Country Director of KOICA Palestine Office. "This year in particular, we were proud to open new rehabilitation centers in Ramallah and Qabatiya in partnership with the WHO. Building on this journey, we are pleased to lay the groundwork for expanding mental health services at Bethlehem Mental Hospital as part of the WHO MHPSS program."
WHO remains committed to strengthening mental health services by expanding rehabilitation, promoting recovery-oriented care, and training specialized staff. This work builds on more than 20 years of collaboration with the Ministry of Health to advance community-based services, enhance inpatient care, and support rehabilitation programmes for long-stay patients.
“Reactivating this ward is a major step toward strengthening inpatient mental health services in Palestine,” said Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory. “With support from KOICA and in partnership with the Ministry of Health, we are helping to strengthen the health system to make it more accessible, more resilient, and better equipped to provide safe, dignified, and timely care for people experiencing severe mental distress.”
