"She came to give birth with her mother. She didn't know Hebrew. Her husband is on the way. No one on shift knew Arabic, and the Jewish woman who studied at Givat Haviva wasn’t there. We decided that this is it..."

Discouraging situations like this, in which an Arab mother arrives in the delivery room without knowing Hebrew, and none of the staff speak Arabic, are a daily reality in hospitals in Israel. These situations pose a significant challenge to the medical staff, who find it difficult to effectively fulfill their role in treating patients.

The Institute for Arabic Studies in Givat Haviva took the situation seriously and responded to requests from the field. This month, we opened three online courses for specialist doctors, gynecologists, and midwives.

The doctors learn spoken Arabic in the courses, emphasizing terms relevant to the field. They also practice simulations of meetings with Arab birthing mothers, taking into account linguistic nuances and the patients’ cultural context.

Samia Mahamid, the teacher, says: "I am personally excited. I remember when I gave birth, and I feel it is a great honor to contribute to improving the experience of Arab mothers with their doctors. In these special moments, communication and a common language are critical."

The Institute for Arabic Studies has been working for many years to make the Arabic language accessible to diverse professional fields, adapting to the unique professional needs of each organization, company, or field.

For more details about the courses and other programs, contact the Institute for Arabic Studies in Givat Haviva: arabic1@givathaviva.org.il