What We Do   Community Health Care Centers   Specialized Services     Dental Services   Eye Care Program & Center   Counseling Program   Dermatology   Rational Use of Drugs   Laboratory Services   Zoonosis Control Program   Mobile Clinics & Outreach Programs   Lending Centers   Health Education   School Health Program   School of Community Health   Emergency Response Program   Community-Based Rehabilitation   Chronic Diseases Program   Well-Baby & Child Health Program   Women’s Health Program   Community Mobilization Programs   Advocacy & Public Awareness	Specialized Services UPMRC promotes the philosophy of Primary Health Care in all of its programs and activities. We believe that by addressing the underlying causes of disease such as poverty, discrimination and environmental conditions, we will do more to increase the health status of our target population than by prescribing drugs or performing medical procedures. Prevention is the best policy, and we strive to prevent illness and promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors, thereby decreasing the prevalence of chronic diseases and the need for costly medical care. When curative care is needed, we aim to provide high-quality services to those who need it, while minimizing over-medication and costly, ineffective follow-up care. As such, UPMRC believes that a successful, model Primary Health Care system must be well supported by appropriate, quality support and specialized services that are available at the community level. Such services promote overall health by preventing problems from developing into serious conditions, and by treating the patient at the local level, eliminate the need to travel to outside facilities. Through the years, UPMRC has developed a unique, cost-efficient system that makes laboratory, pharmacy, dermatology, dental and eye health services available in remote communities at prices affordable to those in need. The Specialty services fulfill three essential functions: They bring highly specialized treatments and services to the community level, support and enhance comprehensive Primary Health Care efforts, and enhance referrals to providers within the UPMRC network. Dental Program: UPMRC's Dental Program emphasizes not only treatment, but also preventive and promotive care. The Program recognizes the unique dental needs of women, children, the elderly, and the poor, and tailors its services to ensure the dental needs of these underprivileged groups as well as the whole community are met. Eye Health Program: Eye care is a neglected area in the country's health care system. The few services that do exist are often too costly for the average Palestinian, leaving many without access to any ophthalmic care. Many Palestinians never become familiarized with the concept of eye check-ups and general ophthalmic care, and many eye problems go undetected. UPMRC's Eye Health Program is unique in that it is one of the only eye health programs created specifically to provide low-cost, high-quality ophthalmic care for the general public. Furthermore, the program provides services in the form of mobile clinics, making it much easier to reach needy people in rural areas. Counseling Program: UPMRC's recently developed Counseling Program works in response to the lack of available psychological services for the Palestinian population. It targets women through the Women's Health Program as well as children and the disabled using various approaches, such as theater and home visits to reach people. Presently, the program is a key part of UPMRC's efforts to combat the negative health consequences of the Intifada for Independence. Dermatology Program: The high incidence of skin conditions in Palestine, largely due to poor environmental conditions, combined with a lack of affordable, accessible dermatology services, particularly in rural areas means that many skin diseases and conditions go untreated. In response, UPMRC's Dermatology Program provides quality care in 16 health centers. The program is unique in the country in that it offers services and enhances the ability of general practitioners to manage common skin diseases at the primary health care level. The Rational Use of Drugs Program: UPMRC's Rational Use of Drugs (RUD) policy seeks to limit the use of unnecessary and potentially harmful drugs on the organizational and national level, as well as train doctors and drug prescribers in appropriate drug usage and up-to-date drug information. UPMRC's pharmacies works to maintain UPMRC's central drug stock, and seek to educate people on the appropriate and rational use of drugs. Laboratory Services: UPMRC believes that laboratories are one of the most important support services at the primary health care level and are integral to improving the medical management of diseases and increasing our overall standard of quality care. There are now a total of 16 laboratories in UPMRC Community Centers throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These laboratories reduce the need for referrals to outside institutions, assist in prevention and diagnosis, and add to our understanding of disease in Palestine. UPMRC has also been involved in water-testing and educating the public about water contamination. Zoonosis Control Program: UPMRC developed the Zoonosis Control Program to address the problem of disease transmission from animals to humans. The program functions as a national awareness-raising campaign, coordinated by the Zoonotic Research and Education Center (ZREC).