Who: Over 14,800 Gaza Patients Lack Access to Urgent Treatment
(MENAFN) The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Thursday it has successfully coordinated the medical evacuation of 38 critically ill patients from the Gaza Strip, pressing nations worldwide to expand humanitarian support and reopen referral pathways as Gaza’s health system nears total collapse.
The operation, backed by ECHO, the humanitarian wing of the European Union, involved transporting 32 children and six adults to receive urgent care abroad. An additional 99 family members accompanied them.
According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the patients were relocated to several countries for advanced medical care: 25 children and six adults were sent to Italy, five children to Belgium, and two children to Türkiye.
“We thank @eu_echo and all governments that have shown solidarity with Gaza’s critical patients by offering them specialized care,” Tedros posted on X, the social media platform owned by a U.S. tech company.
Despite this coordinated mission, the WHO chief warned that the situation remains dire, with over 14,800 individuals in Gaza still in desperate need of medical treatment that is no longer accessible due to ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of healthcare infrastructure.
“We call on more countries to step forward and offer support, and for referral routes to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be restored before it is too late,” Tedros emphasized.
Reiterating his call for an end to the violence, Tedros stated: “Peace is the best medicine.”
Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has come under intensifying global scrutiny. More than 61,700 people have been killed in the enclave, and critics have accused Israel of committing genocide.
In November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel is also defending itself against genocide allegations brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
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