The World Health Organization (WHO) has cried out that Gaza’s health system is on its knees and collapsing with only 14 hospitals out of the original 36 are partially functional, that is 2 North of the Wadi Gaza and 12 in the south.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedro Ghebreyesus who made this known at the Special Session of the Executive Board on health situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, echoed the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres’ call for humanitarian ceasefire.
Ghebreyesus who had welcomed the Secretary-General last week invoked Article 99 of the United Nations Charter, and called for a humanitarian ceasefire, said a ceasefire is the only way to truly protect and promote the health of the people of Gaza.
He deplored the cause of this conflict which is the barbaric and unjustifiable attacks by Hamas on Israel on the 7th of October, that killed more than 1200 people, appalled by reports of gender-based violence during the attacks, and by the mistreatment of hostages.
Speaking further on the health situation, WHO DG said only 1400 beds are available out of an original 3500, two-thirds of primary health care centres non- functional, while the two major hospitals in southern Gaza are operating at three times their bed capacity, running out of supplies and sheltering thousands of displaced people.
He said, “more than 180 women give birth in Gaza every single day. About 2000 patients on cancer therapy; 350 000 patients with diabetes, heart disease and hypertension; And at least 20 000 civilians in need of acute psychiatric care.
“And many more are expected to suffer from severe mental disorders as a result of the conflict. I visited Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City five years ago, in 2018. I toured dialysis ward and a neonatal intensive care unit, and spoke with health workers and patients”.
Ghebreyesus recalled that then, conditions were extremely difficult for health workers, and for patients, he said, “Now the work of the health workers is impossible, and they are directly in the firing line.
Adding that, “Since the 7th of October, WHO has verified more than 449 attacks on health care in Gaza and the West Bank, and 60 attacks on health care in Israel. Health care should never be a target”.
He expressed grief over the loss of more than 100 of UN colleagues in Gaza, including WHO’s own Dima Alhaj, who was killed alongside her six-month old son, her husband and her two brothers.
“In summary, health needs have increased dramatically, and the capacity of the health system has been reduced to one third of what it was”, Ghebreyesus said.
The DG pressed further that the resolution discussed in this meeting, if adopted, and he is ask as the Director-General to do several things such as to report on the public health implications of the crisis; to assess extent of psychiatric morbidity; to strengthen technical and material assistance; And to strengthen WHO’s work with partners.
Ghebreyesus said, “I must be frank with you: these tasks are almost impossible in the current circumstances. Indeed, it is for that reason that the Secretary-General last week invoked Article 99 of the United Nations Charter, and called for a humanitarian ceasefire”.
He echoed the Secretary-General’s call. “A call I have made repeatedly myself, including during my report to the Security Council two weeks ago. A ceasefire is the only way to truly protect and promote the health of the people of Gaza”.
Ghebreyesus who regretted that the Security Council was unable to adopt a resolution on such a ceasefire last Friday, said, “I know that negotiations on the resolution for this meeting have been difficult.
“But I very much appreciate the spirit of cooperation and compromise you have demonstrated, and I welcome your commitment to finding consensus”.
WHO DG pionted out that it is only through dialogue, mutual understanding and finding common ground that the organization can ever hope to find a resolution to this crisis, and to the many other crises that troubled the world.
He urged the Executive Board to use this moment to fulfil that vision, recognising as WHO founders did in 1948 that there is no health without peace, and no peace without health. “I hope you will use health as a bridge to peace. but it is stating the obvious to say that the impact of the conflict on health is catastrophic”.