The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed Egypt’s decision to accept 81 injured and sick people from the Gaza Strip for treatment over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
According to the World Body who has been working to support the Egyptian Ministry of Health, Population in planning, establishing comprehensive triage, stabilization, and medical evacuation system, by providing ongoing training for health care staff.
WHO made the commendation on tuesday in a statement, also said it’s working with the Egyptian Red Crescent Society to ensure that psychological trauma support services are available to patients.
“Our experts have visited Al-Arish, visited medical evacuation facilities and met with medical staff and ambulance paramedics who received advanced life support training.
“There are 65 ambulances equipped with full resuscitation and life support capabilities. Thirteen of the ambulance teams include trained emergency doctors in addition to paramedics with advanced life support training”, WHO said.
Adding that Al-Arish Hospital will be the main first referral hospital. It has fully equipped resuscitation and intensive care facilities, and a range of surgical teams to manage severe injuries, including major trauma and burns.
“Onward referral arrangements to second-line hospitals in Egypt are also in place.
“Thousands more people inside the Gaza Strip continue to need access to urgent and essential health services amid shortages of medicines, health supplies and other aid such as fuel, water and food.
“Those in serious need include thousands of seriously injured civilians (many of them children); more than 1000 people who need kidney dialysis to stay alive.
“More than 2000 patients on cancer therapy; 45 000 people with cardiovascular diseases; and more than 60 000 people with diabetes.
“These patients must be able to have sustained access to health care inside Gaza. Hospitals and other health facilities must be protected from bombardment and military use.
“Before 7 October 2023, around 100 patients each day needed to access specialized health care services outside the Gaza Strip because of the lack of needed, specialized health services inside Gaza”, the world body said.
WHO called for urgent, accelerated access for humanitarian aid – including fuel, water, food and medical supplies – into and throughout the Gaza Strip.
“And access for patients to referral services outside Gaza. Ultimately, WHO calls for a humanitarian ceasefire to prevent further loss and suffering”.
Since 7 October 2023, the escalating crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory has caused large numbers of civilian death and injuries.
In the Gaza Strip, airstrikes and a lack of medical supplies, food, water and fuel have virtually depleted an already under-resourced health system.
Hospitals have been operating far beyond capacity due to rising numbers of patients as well as displaced civilians seeking shelter.
The provision of essential health services – from maternal and newborn care to treatment for chronic conditions – has been severely compromised.