Global Health: Gaza's Health System Collapses and 16,000 Patients Await Urgent Evacuation

Arab Sea Newspaper - Follow-ups:

The World Health Organization said that the health system in the Gaza Strip is facing a severe collapse due to the severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies and the disruption of hospitals, stressing that thousands of patients urgently need evacuation to receive treatment outside the Strip. According to the organization, only half of Gaza's hospitals are partially functioning, while 25 hospitals have been severely damaged, in addition to the disruption of 60% of clinics and health centers. Data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health indicate that 229 types of essential medicines have completely run out and 65% of medical consumables are absent, while Al-Shifa Hospital alone lacks 60% of its necessary medicines. The organization's spokesperson, Tarik Jasarevic, explained that 26 health centers have been reopened with the organization's support, including 4 hospitals and 6 primary care centers, but the pace of rehabilitating health facilities is very slow due to restrictions on the entry of equipment and medical personnel. He revealed that about 16,000 patients in Gaza need urgent evacuation for treatment outside the Strip, according to "Al Jazeera Net." The organization called for the opening of more crossings to bring in aid and allow patients to be transferred to the West Bank and countries willing to receive them, noting that more than 20,000 people in northern Gaza are without any hospital capable of providing effective medical services.