WHO concerned over Gaza health situation

The health situation in the Gaza Strip, which has been under the Zionist siege, continues to decline and risks becoming a humanitarian crisis.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO), notes with grave concern reports that patients trying to leave Gaza for specialist medical care in Israel or neighboring countries are increasingly being denied travel permits.

 

Reports indicate that of the 4074 patients in Gaza who have applied for travel permits on medical grounds since June 2007, 713 have had their applications denied. The proportion of patients who have been denied passage has reportedly more than doubled since the restrictions were imposed, increasing from 10.7% in June to 22.9% in October.

 

Reports reaching WHO also indicate that 12 people have died in the Gaza Strip since October 2007. They were either delayed at checkpoints or there were delays in granting them permits.

 

The health system of the occupied Palestinian territory, especially in Gaza, is heavily dependent on referral to hospitals and other health services outside the area. The recent closure of the Rafah crossing and restrictions imposed on the Erez crossing are impeding the movement not only of people but also of essential medical equipment and supplies into Gaza, home to around 1.3 million people.

 

Equipment in many hospitals and laboratories no longer functions and the travel restrictions mean in many cases that replacement parts do not arrive, consumables and supplies are not replenished, which weakens the health system further. As health services continue to decline, the need for referral to services outside the area, such as in East Beit Ul Moqaddas, Jordan, Egypt and 'Israel,' grows and patients left behind become increasingly vulnerable to medical complications.