Health situation in Gaza – WHO statement

WHO Statement on the situation in Gaza – 3 March 2008 – Jerusalem

Since 27 February, as a result of IDF actions in the Gaza strip, 118 Palestinian have been killed and 315 injured according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The World Health Organization is increasingly concerned about high levels of violence in the Gaza strip, and its impact on the health of Gaza people.

Therefore, WHO urges and requests the:

1. Access of all urgent patients to specialized medical care outside the Gaza strip, without unnecessary delays which reduce their possibility of surviving;

2. Free and unhindered passage into Gaza of all necessary medical equipments, drugs and consumables;

3. Provision of sufficient amount of fuel and electricity for the Gaza strip to ensure the full functioning of hospitals, ambulances, generators, water and sanitation system, and other vital infrastructures;

4. Availability of primary and secondary health care, water and food for people living under curfew within the Gaza strip. WHO advocates for all parties concerned to bring to an immediate end all military operations and resume peace negotiations. Furthermore, WHO calls all parties

involved to abide by and conform with the International Humanitarian Laws and the Human Rights Treaties including the respect and fulfillment of the right to health.