THE MEDICAL REFERRALS IN THE PALESTINIAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH 2022: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY
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Date
2024-03-16
Authors
Turkman, Mohammed
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
An-Najah National University
Abstract
The percentage of purchasing service from outside the Palestinian Ministry of Health during 2022 reached about 37.5% of the total health spending in the Ministry of Health, at a total cost of 974,782,080 NIS.
This study aimed to identify and find out the reality and truth of medical referrals in the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted that included all the medical referrals carried out, conducted, and made by the Palestinian Ministry of Health during the year 2021 was conducted utilizing simple random technique to recruit 554 referrals from 99,064 referrals.
Results: Oncology management ranked the first with the highest number of referrals, (27.6%) of all referrals in 2021. The age group 50 years and older constituted the most medical referrals, with a rate of 48.9%.
The unavailability of treatment or the lack of it in the hospitals was the biggest reason for medical referrals, with a rate of 94.9% of the total referrals.
46.2% of the total medical referrals were covered by the Palestinian Ministry of Health within rates ranging from 91-100%.
The governorates of the northern West Bank accounted for 28.5% of the total referrals, followed directly by the southern governorates with a percentage of 27.8%. According to the patient’s residency, the Hebron governorate had the highest referral rate with 21.3%, followed by the Jerusalem governorate with 17.7%.
54.7% of the medical referrals were directed and sent to hospitals and health facilities located in Jerusalem Governorate.
Based on the findings it has become imperative to work to reduce the costs and burden resulting from medical referrals outside the Palestinian Ministry of Health facilities, by working to localize the medical services in the related hospitals.