Hanan Balkhy, the World Health Organization’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said on Tuesday that healthcare systems in countries neighboring the Gaza Strip are under pressure due to the evacuation of thousands of critically ill patients for treatment in these countries for complex injuries and diseases.
“The ripple effect on Egypt, Lebanon, Syria as the immediate neighbors of the OPT (occupied Palestinian territories) is significant,” she said.
WHO reported that fewer than half of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially functional as of May 30, the global body has reported, as most of the medical infrastructure has been destroyed by Israel’s eight-month-old assault.
Balkhy continued in a press briefing: “Egypt has been hosting a significant number of the patients, but the needs are between minimum 7,000 to over 11,000 patients that require evacuation and treatment and support”
This led to increased pressure on “already fragile health systems in neighboring countries.”
“It’s not like sewing a laceration,” she added, referring to the typical injuries seen among patients from Gaza.
“You’re talking about compound fractures, skull fractures, compound femur fractures, ruptured visceral organs… It’s very difficult to find and to quickly transport patients to get that type of care.”
No medical evacuations have been carried out since May 7, after Israel took control of the Rafah crossing, according to WHO.
The closure of the crossing in the south of the Gaza Strip has also significantly affected the WHO’s ability to deliver essential medical supplies to the enclave.
