The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Thursday that the northern Gaza Strip is now devoid of any fully operational hospitals.
The region is grappling with a multifaceted crisis stemming from a severe shortage of fuel, a depleted healthcare workforce, and a scarcity of essential medical supplies.
Richard Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in Gaza, delivered the alarming news during a press briefing conducted via video link from Jerusalem.
“There are actually no functional hospitals left in the north,” he somberly declared, highlighting the severity of the situation. “Al-Ahli Hospital was the last one, but it is now minimally functional.”
The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in northern Gaza is primarily attributed to a chronic lack of fuel, crippling the ability of hospitals to function effectively.
With power outages becoming a recurrent issue, essential medical equipment is rendered useless, placing patients at a heightened risk.
The scarcity of fuel has not only impacted electricity generation but has also hindered the functioning of emergency vehicles, exacerbating the challenges faced by healthcare providers.
The depletion of medical staff further compounds the crisis, with healthcare professionals struggling to deliver adequate care amidst overwhelming demand.
Hospitals, already strained by the ongoing conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic, are now operating on a skeleton staff, further compromising the quality of healthcare available to the population.
Additionally, the shortage of vital medical supplies has left hospitals ill-equipped to address the healthcare needs of the community.
Life-saving medications, surgical supplies, and equipment necessary for critical interventions are now in dangerously short supply, leaving medical professionals with limited options to provide essential care.
The situation in northern Gaza demands urgent international attention and coordinated efforts to address the immediate needs of the population.
The WHO and other humanitarian organizations are calling for an immediate influx of resources, including fuel, medical supplies, and personnel, to alleviate the suffering of the affected communities.
The international community must act swiftly to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and ensure the restoration of essential services in the region.
Without prompt intervention, the already dire health situation in northern Gaza is poised to deteriorate further, leaving countless lives at risk and perpetuating a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members