The Health Work Committees was founded in 1985 on the initiative of a group of volunteers who worked in the health sector, in order to meet the health needs of the Palestinian population that lives under Israeli occupation throughout the West Bank and Gaza.

Additionally, they identified that they must participate in the support of the Palestinian persistence and create a Palestinian national health infrastructure directly linked to Palestinian national struggle against Israeli occupation.

In the beginning, and especially during the first two years, it took the form of volunteer service (until the HWC was solidly established) in being able to provide health services to isolated and poor areas through mobile clinics throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

During this period, two clinics, one in Jabalia refugee camp (Gaza Strip) and the second in Idhna village (Hebron governorate), were officially opened.

With the outbreak of the first Intifada, the number of volunteers at HWC increased and the health needs of the Palestinian society increased as a result of occupation policies. This period was marked by an increase in mobile clinics and in relief work that encompassed most areas of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of physicians, nurses, and other health professionals volunteered for over 5 years at a time.

During this time, and as a result of the increasing needs, particularly in the villages and refugee camps, Health Work Committees opened more than 45 permanent health clinics to provide primary health care and emergency services. These services were subsequently expanded to include new health services and health programs such as School Health program, Women's Health program, laboratory services and dental health services.

After the end of the first Intifada and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority and the transfer of the responsibility of health services from the Israeli occupation to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, HWC reformulated its policies to ensure financial and professional sustainability

Following the Oslo accords, HWC took on a new strategy to improve the health services with regard to quality. To this end, HWC closed a number of its clinics and professionally upgraded the remaining clinics. HWC concentrated on administrative excellence and was concerned with Palestinian civil society issues and with creating developmental paradigms.

HWC cultivated cooperative working relationships with the Palestinian Ministry of Health and Palestinian charitable organizations, as well as many collaborative relationships with numerous international organizations.

After signing the Oslo agreement, and as a result of the geo-political situation, HWC formed two separate administrations in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This was to enable each administration to work independently, and thus maximize output, with a high level of cooperation between the two.

After the beginning of the second Palestinian Intifada in 2000, HWC renewed its strategy that included emergency care, particularly under the shadow of closures, siege, and occupation practised by the Israelis. It also included the improvement of health services, continuing to present different developmental standards and increasing cooperation with other health service providers.

At the beginning of 2004, and as a Palestinian charitable health organization, HWC has a pioneering role in presenting specialized health services. The strategic plan was created and the phrasing of its goals and strategies for the next five years was documented. The organization's second conference was held and the board of directors and president were elected.