WHO says only 4 hospitals working at minimum level in northern Gaza
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gives a press conference on the situation regarding the COVID-19 at Geneva's WHO headquarters on February 24, 2020. - Fears of a global coronavirus pandemic deepened on February 24 as new deaths and infections in Europe, the Middle East and Asia triggered more drastic efforts to stop people travelling. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
The World Health Organization (WHO) said only four hospitals are working at a minimum level, providing very limited medical care in northern Gaza.
The UN health agency said as the WHO and UN partners embarked on a “high-risk joint mission” on Wednesday to Al-Ahli Arab and Al-Shifa hospitals in northern Gaza.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X on Wednesday that WHO and UN mission to north Gaza revealed that Al-Ahli Arab Hospital is a “shell” of its former self due to lack of fuel, staff and supplies.
He added that the WHO and UN mission to the besieged enclave provided medicines, IV fluids and supplies for surgery, treating the injured people, and supporting women giving birth, he noted
“Al-Ahli Hospital has been overwhelmed with patients needing emergency care. In its courtyard, bodies were placed in rows as they couldn’t be given safe and dignified burials,” Ghebreyesus said.
He warned that Al-Ahli’s operating theaters are no longer working as a result of “depletion, or complete absence,” of specialists, power, fuel, water, food and medical supplies.
Ghebreyesus appealed for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, stating that it is more important than ever to strengthen and replenish existing health facilities and provide medical services.
