The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a resolution to address the catastrophic health situation in Gaza. The resolution, passed unanimously by the WHO board, aims to secure unimpeded access for medical personnel and supplies into the region. The dire health conditions in Gaza have been described as disastrous, with most of the population left homeless, lacking basic necessities such as electricity, food, and clean water. The medical system is on the brink of collapse, exacerbating the already dire situation.
The emergency action, proposed by Afghanistan, Qatar, Yemen, and Morocco, marks the first consensus resolution within the UN system since October 7. Its key provisions include unimpeded passage for medical personnel and supplies, documentation of violence against healthcare workers and patients, as well as secure funding for hospital reconstruction.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged the immense challenges of improving the health situation in Gaza. He stated that medical needs have surged, disease risk has increased, and yet the health system is operating at only one-third of its pre-conflict capacity. The situation has been further compounded by attacks on healthcare facilities, leaving many injured people without proper treatment.
Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, the head of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees, highlighted the staggering statistics, stating that half of Gaza is now starving. Respiratory infections have affected 115,000 individuals, and the lack of clean water and fuel for boiling it has increased the risk of diseases such as dysentery, typhoid, and cholera.
The ongoing conflict has severely compromised the ability to resupply health facilities due to the security situation and inadequate external support. Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila emphasized the urgency of the situation, stressing the critical shortage of medicines.
Despite the challenges, some aid has managed to reach Gaza, including supplies for patients and the transfer of individuals from overcrowded hospitals. NGOs like CARE International have also been delivering water, hygiene kits, thermal blankets, and mattresses to those seeking shelter in UN schools. However, aid distribution has been hampered by the dangerous environment and desperate civilians intercepting aid trucks.
The resolution faced criticism from Israel, which claimed it disproportionately focuses on Israel and neglects Hamas’s use of civilians as human shields. Meanwhile, WHO emergency sessions, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and West Africa’s Ebola epidemic in 2015, are rare and reflect the severity of the situation.
Despite the potential for a ceasefire, the rebuilding process in Gaza is expected to be extensive. The level of destruction caused during the conflict will require years of work to ensure even basic functioning.
The WHO resolution seeks to address the urgent health crisis in Gaza and mitigate its devastating impact on the population. However, the challenges on the ground remain immense, and the international community must step up efforts to provide the necessary support.
