The United Nations health agency welcomed the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, but warned that Gaza’s “future health challenges are immense” as residents of the war-torn enclave face increasing disease and malnutrition.
Israel’s 15-month military campaign in Gaza has pulverized neighborhoods, depleted food, water and fuel supplies and decimated health care infrastructure, and aid groups are now scrambling to step up their response to the humanitarian catastrophe.
“Only half of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain partially operational, almost all hospitals are damaged or partially destroyed, and only 38% of primary health care centers are functioning,” the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday (19). .
The WHO warned that the number of Palestinians killed and injured was likely much higher than the Health Ministry’s official count, and said around 30,000 people suffered injuries that needed ongoing rehabilitation, largely unavailable in Gaza.
“The transmission of infectious diseases has increased enormously, malnutrition is increasing and the risk of hunger persists. The breakdown of public order, exacerbated by armed gangs, raises additional concerns,” the WHO said.
In response to the challenges outlined in the statement, WHO stated that it would work with its partners to implement a 60-day plan to restore and expand the health system in the strip.
“Given the high level of malnutrition and disease outbreaks, WHO is working with partners to expand infant and young child feeding programs, enhance immunization efforts, and strengthen disease surveillance systems for outbreak prevention, reporting and management. in a timely manner,” the agency said.
“WHO calls on all parties to maintain their commitment to fully implement the ceasefire agreement and continue working towards a political solution to address the protracted crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory, which is essential for lasting peace. ”
This content was originally published in WHO warns of health challenges in Gaza after ceasefire on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil

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