Health Situation in Gaza (9 Jan. 2009) – WHO update

OVERVIEW

CASUALTIES

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH), 801 people have been killed since 27 December, including at least 85 women and 265 children. At least 3300 Palestinians have been injured, including at least 1156 children and 452 women1. WHO has not been able to independently verify these details. There have been complaints that Israeli military have been preventing medical teams from evacuating wounded people. Israel has said it is investigating the claims.

HOSPITAL FUNCTIONING

Damage to hospitals and ambulances

The British NGO Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP-UK) and WHO have deployed information officers at hospitals across the Gaza Strip to provide information about their situation and needs. Further information on hospitals will be provided in the next reports. Dorah Paediatrics hospital remains closed, except for emergency services. No damage to hospitals or ambulances reported 9 January.

Electricity failure and fuel supply

All hospitals now have five days fuel capacity for the back-up generators, after having received industrial fuel. Gaza Paediatric hospital has two days of autonomy due to its low store capacity. Power supply was again available for 4–5 hours in all hospitals.

Bed capacity and occupancy rate

The Shifa hospital ICU was overwhelmed with all 30 beds occupied mainly due to the lack of evacuation of patients through the Rafah crossing.

REFERRALS AND EVACUATIONS OUTSIDE GAZA

No patients were referred yesterday, 8 January, and today, 9 January. The ICRC/MoH convoy bringing patients to Rafah crossing was shot at yesterday and the convoy returned to Shifa hospital. The number of patients evacuated through Rafah crossing since 27 December remains 170, most for injuries and some for chronic conditions.

The Palestinian Liaison Officer is awaiting answers on requests made for 12 patients seeking referral for cardiac and cancer care. The Palestinian Referral Abroad Department remains closed.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

One truck from Physicians for Human Rights entered today.

COORDINATION

The Palestinian MoH in Ramallah with WHO collaboration continues its activities from the emergency operations room to respond to the health crisis.

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTRES

PHC services were not functioning 9 January for the weekend. The 1O PHC clinics converted to emergency evacuation centres continue to work. Only 34 of the MoH's 58 PHC centres are functioning (with major interruptions).

PHCs working as emergency centres in the gaza strip

North Gaza:

Gaza:

Middle zone:

Khanyounis:

Rafah:

________

1 The reason for the high increase in the death count is the identification of many bodies that were previously notidentified or found under the rubble or in areas previously not accessible.

CONTACTS

WHO West Bank and Gaza

Ms. Chiara Stefanini

Health and Human Rights Officer

Email: cst@who-health.org

Tel.: + (972) (0)2 540 0595 – Mobile: + (972) (0)2 542326532

WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean

Mr Altaf Musani

Regional Adviser

Emergency Preparedness and Humanitarian Action

Email: musania@emro.who.int

Tel.: + (202) 26 76 50 25 – Mobile: + (201) 02 58 58 22

WHO Headquarters, Geneva

Paul Garwood

Communications Officer

Health Action in Crises

Tel.: +41227913462 – Mobile: +41794755546

Email: garwoodp@who.int

Old Nablus Road – Sheikh Jarrah

POBox 54812 – Jerusalem 91547

Tel: +972 2 540 0595

Fax: + 972 2 581 0193

Email: info@who-health.org