Malta helps in the Middle East

Malta is helping in the procurement of technology related hardware needed by Bethlehem University.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement this was in line with the government’s objective of granting, as a priority, development assistance to the Middle East, and in keeping with the further objective of seeking to support and assist programmes that focused on education, health and children.

The hardware for Bethlehem University includes desktop PCs, portable LCD projectors and a heavy duty laser printer.

Bethlehem University is a Catholic Christian co-educational institution of higher learning founded in 1973 in the Lasallian tradition, open to students of all faith traditions.

It is the first university established in the West Bank, and can trace its roots to 1893 when the De La Salle Christian Brothers opened schools in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jaffa, Nazareth, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry is contributing €12,750, representing 80 per cent of the total amount of requirements.

The ministry is also assisting in the renovation of the X-ray Department at St Louis Hospital in Jerusalem by financing the purchase and installation of a dedicated workstation and related equipment.

Located just outside the New Gate of Jerusalem's Old City, St Louis Hospital provides hospice and geriatric care for Jerusalem residents regardless of their race, religion or nationality.

Today the staff of 60, which includes doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, support staff and 25 volunteers, cares for some 50 patients.

The ministry is contributing €12,224 equivalent to 80 per cent of the price of the equipment and the work to be carried out.

This year, the ministry has assisted 11 different projects in various countries using the available budget of €330,000.