World Health Organization

The functionality of Gaza’s 14 public hospitals is increasingly jeopardized by electricity shortages. Several of the most severely impacted hospitals have already put rationalization measures in place and suspended sterilization, diagnostic imaging, cleaning, laundry and catering services during cut-off hours. Elective surgeries have been further reduced and drastic service reductions, including closures of wards and hospitals, are imminent.Hundreds of patients, including newborn and children, whose life depends on the availability of dialysis services, incubators and ventilators in intensive care units, and other electrical life-sustaining devices, and those requiring surgical interventions will be directly affected. 

Electricity cuts and continued shortages of medicines and medical supplies in the Gaza Strip are severely restricting the access of 2 million people to critical medical care, the WHO has warned. At least 30 hospitals, 70 primary health care centres and a blood blank are at risk of full or partial closure due to continued power outages and not enough fuel or spare parts for back-up generators.

Thirty-five doctors and 12 intensive care beds remain in east Aleppo. Doctors and health facilities are struggling under extreme resource shortages, fuel shortages, and overwhelming patient loads as the siege continues.

While there have been slight improvements in the security situation in parts of the Central African Republic (CAR), the country is still in the grips of a major health crisis, following years of conflict and under-development. Only 55% of health facilities in the country are functioning, and most rely on support from non-governmental organizations and UN agencies like WHO.

The World Health Organization and its health partners are gravely concerned about the increasing attacks on health facilities, ambulances, personnel and patients in Gaza. Since the escalation of violence in Gaza, reports indicate that medical facilities have been damaged resulting in death and injuries to patients and health professionals.