Israel freezes programme aimed at lowering Arab child mortality rates in the Negev

The Israeli Ministry of Health recently announced the success of a programme designed to lower mortality rates of Arab children in the Negev. They did so by hiring mediators and interpreters who spoke both Hebrew and Arabic. The ministry also said it will request a tender to employ other translators. However, last month, the ministry sent termination letters to all the translators working in the mother and child clinics in the Bedouin villages, thus freezing this important project.

The programme was implemented in about 10 mother and child clinics in Bedouin villages in the Negev for over 10 years. One translator worked at each clinic, especially during medical examinations and instructions in order to help mothers who do not speak Hebrew.

This project was established in order to lower child mortality rates in Bedouin communities, at present these stand at four times higher than the rates in Jewish community.

Today, Haaretz newspaper quoted Ilan Fathi, director of the AJEEC Institute Department of Health Promotion and the Environment: “Fourteen years ago, the state realised that the Bedouin child’s mortality rates were illogical. The Ministry of Health then decided to combat the gap. There are many programmes, such as the translator programme, that saves the lives of these children.”

He added: “The translators go to clinics in Bedouin villages where most of the mothers do not speak Hebrew; they make sure that the mothers understand how to continue care.”

The AJEEC Institute, which focuses on Arab-Jewish equality, sent a letter to the Ministry of Health requesting it resume its project and re-hire the translators.

It is worth noting that the translators also work on giving guidance to the Bedouin women in order to raise awareness on various issues regarding childbirth and raising children, as well as prenatal care.

The Ministry of Health responded by confirming that the programme was very successful and that the translators will resume their work in two months. The ministry did not mention why the translators were stopped from working.