The coronavirus has once again brought to the forefront the problems facing East Jerusalem's 350,000 residents, who are caught between Israeli apathy and the inability of the Palestinian government to provide assistance, as Israel is preventing the Palestinian government from engaging.

Abdel Qader Husseini, the president of the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network, told Al-Monitor that Jerusalem’s hospitals will face a huge problem if the number of coronavirus patients increases. “Only two hospitals in Jerusalem are equipped to deal with coronavirus patients," he said. "The Makassed Hospital, which has 22 beds isolated for coronavirus cases, and the Saint Joseph Hospital, which closed its surgery department and converted 28 beds for coronavirus cases.”

Established in 1997 with support from late Palestinian politician Faisal Husseini, the East Jerusalem Hospitals Network includes six medical facilities: Makassed Islamic Charitable Hospital, Augusta Victoria Hospital, St. John Eye Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, Red Crescent Society Hospital and the Jerusalem Princess Basma Center for Disabled Children.

Abdel Qader Husseini, the son of Faisal Husseini, said the hospitals face a range of problems. “We only have 19 ventilators that are available for use in case of coronavirus emergencies, and we are trying to acquire or rent more in case things worsen," he said. "We are also worried about shortages in medical equipment and protective gear.”