The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed cautious optimism following the recent ceasefire in Gaza, which includes a deal for the release of hostages and prisoners. This agreement offers a glimmer of hope for millions of people who have suffered greatly due to the ongoing conflict. However, the path to restoring Gaza’s health system is fraught with challenges.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is staggering. The conflict has led to widespread displacement, with over 46,600 lives lost and more than 110,000 people injured. The true extent of the damage is believed to be even higher. Gaza’s health infrastructure has been severely affected, with only half of its 36 hospitals still partially operational. Many hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, and just 38% of primary health care centers remain functional. Furthermore, about 25% of those injured—approximately 30,000 people—are suffering from life-changing injuries, requiring long-term rehabilitation.
The region also faces a growing burden of infectious diseases, rising malnutrition, and an ever-present risk of famine. The situation is worsened by the breakdown of public order, fueled by the presence of armed gangs. Specialized medical care is scarce, medical evacuations abroad are slow, and many essential health services are severely limited.
Restoring Gaza’s health system will be an overwhelming task. The scale of destruction, combined with operational and logistical constraints, makes the process extraordinarily complex. Billions of dollars in investment will be needed to rebuild the system, and this will require steadfast commitment from international donors and the global community.
WHO is prepared to scale up its response in collaboration with UN health partners, including UNFPA, UNICEF, UNRWA, and 67 other health cluster partners. However, the success of these efforts hinges on the removal of security barriers that currently impede operations. WHO stresses the importance of ensuring unrestricted access to the population across Gaza, facilitating the flow of aid through all available borders, and lifting restrictions on the entry of essential supplies.
Additionally, WHO is calling for the active protection of civilians and health-care workers, as well as the acceleration of medical evacuations for the 12,000 patients requiring specialized care. The referral system for critical patients to East Jerusalem and the West Bank must also be strengthened. Addressing the damage to roads, removing rubble, and clearing unexploded ordnances are also critical components of the recovery effort.
A massive infusion of funding is necessary to meet Gaza’s immediate health needs and to begin rebuilding the health system. This includes restoring the workforce, repairing the supply chain, and rebuilding health infrastructure.
WHO, along with its partners, is rolling out a 60-day plan aimed at the urgent restoration and expansion of Gaza’s health system. Priority will be given to trauma and emergency care, comprehensive primary health care, child health, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), sexual and reproductive health, rehabilitation, mental health, and psychosocial support.
Efforts are underway to assess and rehabilitate damaged health facilities, particularly in areas with the greatest need. This includes increasing bed capacity in hospitals in both northern and southern Gaza and expanding operational capabilities by recruiting national health workers and deploying international medical staff. Additionally, prefabricated clinics and hospitals will be integrated into existing facilities to expand service delivery in areas that have recently become accessible.
WHO is also working with its partners to address the high levels of malnutrition and disease outbreaks. Efforts to expand infant and young child feeding programs, boost immunization campaigns, and strengthen disease surveillance systems are critical to preventing further outbreaks.
In its statement, WHO urged all parties to honor the ceasefire agreement fully and continue working toward a political resolution of the long-standing crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories, emphasizing that this is vital for achieving lasting peace.
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