Visit of Ms Maeve McKiernan from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem

It was a pleasure recently to welcome Ms Maeve McKiernan from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem as part of a fact-finding visit. Ms McKiernan was received by H.E. Michele Bowe, DM, and the hospital’s senior management team, who provided an overview of its vital work, particularly the critical maternity and neonatal care it provides to mothers and infants throughout the region.

Since the Order of Malta established the hospital in 1990, more than 110,000 babies have been delivered there. The hospital has maintained strong links with Ireland from its inception and continues to benefit directly from the valued support of Irish midwives and doctors, who regularly travel to Bethlehem to serve alongside their Palestinian colleagues in exceptionally challenging circumstances. Their contribution reflects the Order’s and Ireland’s longstanding commitment to the hospital and its humanitarian mission.