22 October 2024, Gaza, Cairo, Geneva – On 21 October, 14 sufferers and 10 caregivers have been transferred from Kamal Adwan in North Gaza to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza Metropolis throughout a high-risk, WHO-led joint mission, amid intense hostilities and entry restrictions. Regardless of an preliminary settlement, the supply of crucial medical provides, blood, and gas—sources important for retaining Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda hospitals operational – was denied only a few hours earlier than the mission started on 20 October.
The mission lasted two days, with the crew going through delays at successive checkpoints, and through intensive safety screenings. The crew was pressured to remain in a single day at Kamal Adwan Hospital, as they weren’t cleared to proceed to Al-Shifa hospital as a result of lively battle within the space. Heavy bombardment continued close to the hospital all through the night time, inflicting misery amongst sufferers, well being staff and the mission crew. The crew was solely capable of proceed to Al-Shifa Hospital round noon on 21 October. En path to Al-Shifa, all sufferers have been taken out of the ambulances for a safety screening. Some sufferers on stretchers have been left mendacity on the bottom for a while through the screening was carried out, whereas some accomplice workers have been subjected to humiliating therapy.
This was the fourth WHO mission to the north of Gaza since 1 October. Up to now this month, out of the 21 missions requested by WHO, solely 6 have been facilitated, the bulk being denied or impeded.
Kamal Adwan Hospital stays partially purposeful however is struggling to fulfill rising wants as a result of intensified hostilities within the north and a scarcity of medical provides and gas. A strike close to the hospital inflicting damages to the gate was reported earlier as we speak, 22 October. At present, there are 95 sufferers within the hospital, together with 15 in intensive care (together with 4 requiring steady life help) seven of whom are youngsters. During the last two days, at the very least 200 severely injured individuals and 53 useless our bodies have been delivered to the already overwhelmed hospital. Broken roads, mixed with ongoing hostilities, are severely disrupting protected entry to the hospital. If sufferers, ambulances, and well being staff are unable to achieve the ability, and companions can’t resupply it, the hospital could quickly grow to be non-functional.
As hostilities intensify in North Gaza, WHO is deeply involved in regards to the final two purposeful hospitals – Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda – which should be protected. A whole lack of well being care in North Gaza would make an already catastrophic state of affairs worse, and result in extra lives being misplaced.
One 12 months on, well being care continues to be attacked and disadvantaged of provides and gas, whereas WHO’s potential to commonly attain well being services is severely compromised as a result of mission delays and denials.
WHO reiterates its name for unimpeded entry to well being services, dependable and well timed facilitation of missions, sustained circulation of support into and throughout Gaza, safety of well being care, and above all a ceasefire.
