title: Gaza Strip’s Health System in Crisis: Urgent Humanitarian Aid Needed, Warns WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a distress signal, indicating that the health system in the Gaza Strip is on the verge of collapse. In an alarming statement, the WHO highlights the urgent need for humanitarian aid to avert a catastrophic situation. If immediate action is not taken to deliver fuel and life-saving supplies to the Gaza Strip, a humanitarian crisis is inevitable.
Currently, hospitals in the region are grappling with severe electricity shortages, as they are forced to ration their depleting fuel reserves. To sustain critical functions, hospitals heavily rely on generators, which can only provide a few hours of electricity each day. Unfortunately, these functions will cease when the remaining fuel stocks run out in a matter of days.
Given this dire circumstance, the most vulnerable patients, including those in need of life-saving surgeries, individuals in intensive care units, and newborns dependent on incubators, will suffer immensely. The shortage of medical supplies is exacerbating the crisis, further limiting hospitals’ capacity to respond effectively.
Consequently, essential health services, such as obstetric care and the treatment of noncommunicable diseases like cancer and heart conditions, have been gravely disrupted. Health facilities are now compelled to prioritize emergency care services, leaving other medical necessities unattended.
The WHO also draws attention to the challenges faced by emergency medical teams working in the field. The destruction of infrastructure has made their access to affected areas extremely difficult. Shockingly, the WHO has documented 34 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza since last Saturday, resulting in the deaths of 11 health workers on duty as well as injuries to 16 others. Additionally, 19 health facilities and 20 ambulances have suffered damages.
To mitigate this crisis, the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip is imperative. The provision of health services, medical supplies, food, clean water, and fuel, along with other essential items, is crucial. Without such assistance, humanitarian and health partners will be unable to meet the urgent needs of the population, leading to further loss of lives.
In response to this distressing situation, the WHO calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and emphasizes the need to protect both healthcare facilities and civilians from attacks. Furthermore, it urges the opening of a humanitarian corridor to ensure unfettered access to health and humanitarian supplies.
Prepared to act swiftly, the WHO is ready to dispatch trauma and essential health supplies through its logistics hub in Dubai, in collaboration with its partners. However, the effectiveness of their efforts hinges on the urgent opening of the Rafah border crossing, allowing these supplies to reach the Gaza Strip promptly.
Meanwhile, as the Israeli-Hamas conflict enters its seventh day, the Israeli Air Force continues its counter-offensive. Their airstrikes have led to the deaths of at least 1,537 Palestinians, with another 6,612 injured, according to CNN, citing the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
It is critical for the international community to address this humanitarian crisis promptly and take necessary measures to safeguard the lives and well-being of the people in the Gaza Strip. Failure to act swiftly will result in irreparable damage to an already fragile health system, leading to the loss of countless innocent lives.
