Six Palestinian nurses have completed a six-week intensive surgery training programme in Irish children’s hospitals in advance of the opening of a new children’s surgical unit in the West Bank.
The nurses, who are from Caritas Baby Hospital, Bethlehem, completed the programme at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Temple Street.
It was a “key step” in advance of the spring 2026 opening of the Jubilee building in the West Bank hospital, which will “address urgent local needs in paediatric surgery for Bethlehem and the southern West Bank”.
The programme was organised in partnership between Caritas Baby Hospital and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). It is co-funded by the INMO, the Health Service Executive, and the Swiss Representative Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory/Swiss Development Co-operation.
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Under the programme, the nurses trained in operating theatres through observation and supervised participation in various surgical procedures and sterilisation techniques.
The focus was on observing and achieving high standards to enhance professional knowledge, clinical decision-making, and management skills.
Steve Pitman, head of education and professional development at the INMO, said the six nurses were already highly experienced and well-educated.
Suheir Qumsieh, chief nursing officer at Caritas Baby Hospital, said the initiative represents a “significant investment in our nurses’ expertise, ensuring the delivery of day surgery services for children” in accordance with the highest international standards.
“The skills and experiences gained will translate directly into safer and more effective care for our young patients,” she added.
INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said the partnership will foster professional bonds and friendships that transcend geographical boundaries.
“Support will be essential in the coming months as this new unit in the West Bank opens to provide specialised surgical services to Palestinian children,” she said.
Ms Ní Sheaghdha said the organisation was “proud” to co-ordinate the project, adding that the online education provided by it and CHI prior to the nurses’ arrival was crucial to the project’s success.
Bethlehem’s Caritas Baby Hospital was established in 1953 and is the only paediatric hospital in the West Bank, according to the hospital.
Annually, it provides about 50,000 treatments to Palestinian children, most of whom are from the southern reaches of the West Bank, predominantly Bethlehem and Hebron.
The new Jubilee building will have a day surgery department which will offer essential health and surgical services in a “safe, child-friendly environment”.
