WHO Report: “Conflict escalation in Gaza, complex emergency” (Issue 2) – WHO situation report

Health situation

According to the Ministry of Health:

As of 15 July, a total of 187 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza (including 39 children, 24 females (aged 18-60) and 11 elderly over 60 years) and a total of 1390 Palestinians have been injured (including 393 children, 252 females; and 49 elderly over 60 years). Among health care workers affected a pharmacist was killed in his home. Two medical staff, 3 paramedics and 15 emergency medical services staff and volunteers were injured in attacks.

As of 14 July, Gaza European Hospital (250 beds) and al Wafa Medical Rehabilitation Hospital have been damaged which caused temporary evacuation of some patients.

4 ambulances have been heavily damaged (one enroute and three in a PRCS ambulance center).

6 Primary Health Care centers have been damaged: 4 Ministry of Health clinics (Foukhary, Jamila Ashy, Beach and Attatrah) and 2 clinics operated by the Palestinian Medical Relief Society in Gaza, in Gaza city and in Beit Hanoun.

Al Mubarrat Filastin center for the developmentally disabled in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip was destroyed on July 12 and 2 disabled women were killed. Two disabled women, a disabled man and their 53-year-old female caretaker were critically injured. The four were admitted to the burns unit in Shifa hospital.

The home of the Director General of Shifa hospital in Gaza city was destroyed on the evening of July 13, after a warning was given. There were no deaths or injuries reported.

Health response

An emergency mental health plan is in effect, with teams assigned from health workers in community mental health centers as well with general hospital teams and primary health care clinics. Teams work in the health facilities in their neighborhoods, and special teams are deployed in the general hospitals. There is urgent need for psycho-tropic drugs, especially emergency drug kits to use for patients with mental illness who have relapses and families in especially severe circumstances of forced displacement, trauma and anxiety.

One truck load of medical aid entered through Rafah crossing on July 13 donated by the Emirati Red Crescent to the Palestinian Red Crescent was received on July 14 in Gaza.

Referrals out of Gaza

There is reduced access for referral cases out of Gaza due to the difficulty in travel within Gaza, as well as delays in processing referrals. From July 12 to July 15, a total of 21 referral patients, all casualties, and their companions were able to travel through Rafah border in the southern Gaza Strip for medical treatment in Egypt. On July 13 and 14, 91 patients and companions exited through Erez checkpoint to referral hospitals outside of Gaza. Six of the patients were casualties and transferred through Erez by ambulance to hospitals in Jordan.

Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem, the major referral hospital for the Palestinian Ministry of Health, has received 17 patients from Gaza since July 7, 20% of its usual referral number from Gaza. Augusta Victoria hospital, the major referral center for cancer treatment, also reported fewer numbers.

Donors and funding

WHO is making an urgent appeal for US$ 60 million to support the Ministry of Health in meeting chronic medical needs, now accelerated by the Gaza emergency: the Ministry requires at least US$40 million in order to provide essential medications and medical supplies for health care sufficient for an emergency preparedness period of 6 months. Even before the recent violence the Ministry of Health in Gaza had chronic shortages of drugs (28% zero stock) and medical supplies (53% zero stock). A further US$ 20 million is needed for the Ministry's referral debts to the East Jerusalem hospitals, which receive 44% of all Ministry referral patients.

For more information, contact:

WHO West Bank and Gaza Country Office

Contact: Dr. Mahmoud Daher, +972-598944650

Website: http://www.emro.who.int/palestine