Gaza's health system nears collapse as WHO sounds urgent warning
13 oC
13 oC
Güneşli
13 oC
Güneşli
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a dire warning that Gaza's health system is "on its knees" and perilously close to complete collapse.
He expressed deep concern over the potential closure of the Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, emphasizing that such a development would deprive thousands of essential lifesaving care.
In a statement, Ghebreyesus stated: "Gaza cannot afford to lose any more hospitals…and yet another one is on the verge of closing." The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah accused the Israeli military of placing Kamal Adwan hospital under siege and bombarding it, heightening the challenges faced by the already strained health infrastructure.
The WHO has reported a staggering 212 attacks on Gaza's health sector since October 7, resulting in only 14 hospitals partially functioning and three minimally functioning. Tragically, 19 hospitals have gone out of service, exacerbating the healthcare crisis in the region.
Palestinian Minister of Health Mai Al-Kaila highlighted on Tuesday that none of the hospitals in northern Gaza can accommodate surgical operations, and hospital capacities in the south have exceeded 216%.
Cindy McCain, Chief of the World Food Programme (WFP), echoed the grim situation, stating, "The humanitarian system is collapsing," and revealing that hunger has become widespread in Gaza. WFP reported that 97% of households in the northern areas and 83% in the south reported inadequate food consumption, with many going without food for at least one day.
The lack of cooking gas has forced many to resort to burning waste and wood rubbish, raising concerns about respiratory diseases. Moreover, daily clean water consumption in Gaza is well below the minimum average volume required for drinking and hygiene, posing additional health risks.
Amidst these dire circumstances, more than 16,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives in the Israeli war on Gaza. The escalating humanitarian crisis emphasizes the urgent need for international intervention and assistance. (ILKHA)
LEGAL WARNING: All rights of the published news, photos and videos are reserved by İlke Haber Ajansı Basın Yayın San. Trade A.Ş. Under no circumstances can all or part of the news, photos and videos be used without a written contract or subscription.
Türkiye’s Ministry of Health has introduced sweeping new regulations aimed at reducing the rate of medically unnecessary cesarean sections and promoting natural births, as part of its nationwide “Healthy Türkiye Century” initiative.
The Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) reported Friday that Türkiye’s child population, aged 0-17, constituted 25.5% of the total population of 85.7 million in 2024, totaling 21.8 million children. Boys made up 51.3% of this group, and girls 48.7%.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Tlaleng Mofokeng, has strongly condemned an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, the last operational hospital in northern Gaza, which was struck on April 13, 2025.
Mexican health officials have confirmed the nation’s first human fatality from the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. The victim, a three-year-old girl from the northern state of Coahuila, passed away earlier this week due to complications from the virus, marking a sobering milestone in the country’s public health history.
