The World Health Association (WHO) has issued a stark warning regarding the rapidly deteriorating health system in the Gaza Strip. According to the WHO, the Nasser Medical Complex, considered the most vital referral hospital remaining in Gaza, and Al-Amal Hospital are on the verge of becoming completely non-functional. The northern part of GAZA already lacks any operational hospitals.

Nasser and Al-Amal represent the last two functioning public hospitals located in KHAN YOUNIS, where a notable portion of the population currently resides. The WHO emphasizes that the loss of these facilities would deprive countless individuals of essential and life-saving medical care.

While neither hospital has received direct evacuation orders for patients or staff, their locations fall within or near the evacuation zone declared on June 2nd.ISRAELI authorities have reportedly informed the Ministry of Health that access routes to both hospitals will be blocked, making it exceedingly challenging, if not impractical, for new patients and medical personnel to reach the facilities safely. The WHO cautions that further deterioration of the situation could render both hospitals inoperable due to restricted movement, pervasive insecurity, and the inability of the WHO and its partners to deliver supplies or transfer patients.

Currently, Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals are operating beyond their maximum capacity, struggling to cope wiht a continuous influx of patients suffering from life-threatening injuries, all while facing severe shortages of essential medicines and medical equipment. The WHO stresses that the closure of these hospitals would have catastrophic consequences for patients requiring surgical intervention, intensive care, blood transfusions, cancer treatment, and dialysis.

The closure of these two hospitals would result in the loss of 490 beds, reducing the total number of available hospital beds in the GAZA Strip to fewer then 1400. This represents a 40% decrease in hospital bed capacity compared to the period before the conflict began, for a population of 2 million people.

The WHO has condemned the ongoing destruction of hospitals in GAZA, stating that it “must end instantly.” the organization notes that for over 20 months, health workers, the WHO, and partner organizations have strived to maintain essential health services despite extremely challenging conditions. Though, repeated attacks, escalating hostilities, aid blockades, and restricted access have systematically crippled the health system.

The WHO is urgently calling for the protection of Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital, emphasizing the need to ensure their accessibility, functionality, and safety from attacks and hostilities.The organization insists that patients seeking refuge and medical care should not risk their lives attempting to reach hospitals, and that hospitals must never be militarized or targeted.

Moreover, the WHO is appealing for the immediate and safe delivery of essential medicines and medical supplies into GAZA through all available routes.

The WHO reiterates its call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire.

“The relentless and systematic decimation of hospitals in Gaza has been going on for too long. It must end immediately.”

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