May 30, 2009

"Gaza Community Mental Health Programme Held its General Assembly

 Annual Meeting"

The Gaza Community Mental Health Programme held its General Assembly annual meeting with participation of majority of the members and a representative of the Ministry of Interior at Al-Quds International Hotel in Gaza. 

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj, President of GCMHP, welcomed the participants, expressing his sincere appreciation and gratitude for their participation. Dr. El-Sarraj mentioned that this meeting comes as Gaza is going through severe conditions resulting from violence and siege, particularly after the war, which is destroying the Palestinian society, increasing the levels of unemployment, and preventing the movement of  patients, students, businessmen, and the general population.

Dr. El-Sarraj forewarned of the ramifications of the war on Gaza on the next Palestinian generation. He also warned of the internal Palestinian disputes, which will negatively affect the mental health and human rights conditions in Palestine, leading to more deterioration in the living conditions of Palestinians. 

Dr. El-Sarraj added that GCMHP has significant achievements which had a positive impact on improving the mental health circumstances of Palestinian citizens; emphasizing continuous efforts of the Programme with the civil society to be a centre of excellence and provide distinguished services to enhance the capacities of professionals of the Programme and others in the community.

Dr. Ahmed Abu Tawahina, Director General of GCMHP, presented the narrative report of 2008, highlighting the activities of all programs and departments as per the strategic plan which includes children, women, capacity building, research, advocacy and lobbying, and human rights activities.

Dr. Abu-Tawahina talked about the challenges, obstacles, and lessons learned during the implementation of the strategic plan. Dr. Abu-Tawahina, highlighted the main research studies that GCMHP conducted over the past period, particularly after the war on Gaza.

A number of questions, comments, and observation were raised by the participants, for which Dr. Ahmed presented clarifications and responses.

Further, Yosif Ghazali, the Financial Manager of GCMHP, presented the financial report 2008 in details highlighting the financial centre of GCMHP and all the disbursements, expenses of each goal of the plan as well as the comments of the auditing company. Mr. Ghazali responded to the questions raised by the members regarding financial matters. 

During the meeting, the participants approved both the narrative and financial report and re-endorsed Deloitte & Touche to be the auditing company for the year 2009.

At the end, a new Board of Directors for GCMHP was elected consisting of the following members; Dr. Mohamad Abu-Shahla, Mr. Essa Nahal, Mr. Shehada Obweeney, Dr. Mona Kaskeen, Mr. Haytham Abu-Shaban, Mr. Haleem Halabi, Mr., Issam Yonis, Mr. Hesham Abu-Shaban, and Ms. Tagreed Khodarey.

Dr. El-Sarraj concluded the meeting and thanked the members of the General Assembly for their participation and fruitful discussion which contributed to the success of the meeting. Dr. El-Sarraj recommended to have more meetings to enhance communication between the Board of Directors and General Assembly members regarding issues and decisions that will enhance the professional and administrative work of the Programme.

Public Relations

Gaza Community Mental Health Programme