Health situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip – WHO Health Action in Crises (WHO/HAC Highlights) – WHO press release (excerpts)

Health action in crises (WHO/HAC)

Highlights No 120 – 07 to 13 Aug 2006

Each week, the World Health Organization Department for Health Action in Crises in Geneva produces information highlights on the health aspects of selected humanitarian crises. Drawing on the various WHO programmes, contributions cover activities from field and country offices and the support provided by WHO regional offices and Headquarters. The mandate of the WHO Departments specifically concerned with Emergency and Humanitarian Action in Crises is to increase the effectiveness of the WHO contribution to crisis preparedness and response, transition and recovery. This note, which is not exhaustive, is designed for internal use and does not reflect any official position of the WHO Secretariat.

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OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY 

Assessments and events: 

The financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority continues to impact on the delivery of health care. At the end of July, stocks for 80 out of the 437 items on the list of essential drugs had shrunk to cover needs for less than one month and stocks for another 80 to less than three months.

ll MoH hospitals in the Gaza Strip are operational but have reduced their service provision including diagnostic and outpatient services; some cases of elective surgery are being referred to NGO hospitals.

Referral of patients abroad remains a serious problem. Until 11 August, none of the 300 patients referred to Egypt and Jordan by the MoH was able to leave due to the temporary closure of the Rafah crossing.

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