WHO Reports Unprecedented Surge in Attacks on Health Facilities in Gaza

05 December 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an unprecedented surge in detentions and arrests of doctors, along with attacks on medical facilities and ambulances in the Gaza Strip. This information was shared in a statement posted on the WHO's X social media page (formerly Twitter).

 

Between October 7 and November 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) documented an unprecedented surge in attacks on healthcare facilities, totaling 203 incidents of assaults on hospitals, ambulances, and medical supplies. Additionally, health workers have been subjected to detentions. The organization decried these actions as unacceptable and urgently called on all parties involved in the conflict to employ all available measures to safeguard civilians and civilian infrastructure.


The WHO underscored the "catastrophic" state of health facilities in the Gaza Strip. Pointing to the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis as a representative example, the global organization noted that hospitals in the region are "overwhelmed with patients and refugees."

 

"The shortage of healthcare workers is critical, and those currently available are working tirelessly, facing exhaustion. A significant number of patients are compelled to receive treatment on the floor," the statement expounded.

 

The WHO has highlighted the critical situation in Gaza Strip hospitals. Currently, the bed occupancy rate is at an alarming 171%, reaching an even more concerning 221% in intensive care units. At the medical complex "Nasser," designed for 350 beds, there are currently 1,000 patients alongside thousands of refugees. Similarly, at the European Hospital of Gaza, intended for 370 beds, there are 1,000 patients and approximately 70,000 displaced citizens.

 

 

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Photo: WHO/Public Domain

Based on materials from TASS