The inauguration took place under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and forms part of the UAE’s sustained humanitarian engagement with the Palestinian healthcare sector, the Emirates News Agency reported. The newly opened facility aims to strengthen treatment options for women and children while helping the hospital maintain its broad range of medical services amid regional pressures. Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar emphasized during the event that the wing aligns with the UAE’s consistent focus on supporting Palestinian communities through targeted health initiatives.
According to the minister, the project underscores the UAE’s enduring commitment to the Palestinian people with a strong emphasis on advancing the health sector. The Emirates International Aid Agency is coordinating with the World Health Organization to roll out programs that help local institutions sustain critical care and bring medical training in line with international standards, Al Marar added. These joint efforts have enabled hospitals to continue operating effectively despite ongoing challenges in the region.
The UAE allocated $25 million to bolster the hospital’s infrastructure and expand its medical offerings, including targeted improvements to obstetrics, gynaecology and staff training, according to the Emirates News Agency. A further $64.5 million grant issued in March 2025 supports operational expenses, medical personnel and facility upgrades, a statement from the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanitarian Acts indicated. The combined assistance has permitted the World Health Organization to deliver vital supplies, enhance diagnostic imaging and prepare more than 100 residents across 11 medical specialties.
The first phase of the wing provides capacity for around 50 beds along with dedicated delivery suites, operating theatres and advanced medical equipment tailored to women’s health needs, the Emirates News Agency detailed. Designers focused on creating an environment that elevates maternity services and gynecological procedures for patients who rely on the East Jerusalem institution. Officials expect the addition to ease demand on existing resources while delivering higher standards of specialized care.
The wing carries the name of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, who serves as Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, the report noted. Her longstanding work has shaped numerous programs that promote the well-being of women, children and families throughout the Arab world and beyond. Recognition of her contributions through this project highlights the personal element within the UAE’s broader pattern of regional humanitarian support.
Al Makassed Hospital operates as one of the leading referral centers for Palestinians in East Jerusalem and surrounding areas, World Health Organization assessments have shown over multiple years. The UAE’s latest contribution arrives as the facility works to address rising requirements for quality maternal and surgical services among its patient base. Continued partnership between Emirati authorities, the World Health Organization and hospital leadership is expected to translate the new infrastructure into measurable gains for community health outcomes.
