WHO: Half of Gaza’s hospitals are only partially operational

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the continued critical health situation in the Gaza Strip, where half of the 36 hospitals are partially operational, 25 have sustained partial damage, and 40% of health centers are partially functioning. Furthermore, 229 essential medicines are completely unavailable.

In a statement released Wednesday, the WHO indicated that 65% of medical supplies are not fully available, and 60% of the medicines needed at Al-Shifa Hospital are completely unavailable.

WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic stated that 26 health facilities have reopened, including four hospitals and six primary care centers. He noted the organization’s collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Health to support the operation of health centers and hospitals.

Jasarevic added that the process of re-equipping hospitals and health centers with medical equipment, medicines, and staff remains slow, necessitating a plan to evacuate approximately 16,000 people for medical treatment abroad.

He pointed out that “the needs of the Gaza Strip include opening more crossings (currently three are open) to deliver aid and transport patients, in addition to the necessity of securing more countries to receive patients for treatment outside the Strip.”

He explained that “there is an urgent need to bring in food supplies and medical equipment, as the (Israeli) authorities have refused entry to some of these items.” He also revealed that “more than 20,000 people in northern Gaza lack access to functioning hospital services.”