Gaza – SABA:
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on Wednesday that 14,800 patients in Gaza are in urgent need of specialized medical care.
In a post monitored by the Yemeni News Agency (SABA), Dr. Tedros urged more countries to accept patients and accelerate medical evacuations by all possible means.
He noted that the WHO supported the medical evacuation of 15 critically ill children to Jordan earlier today, accompanied by 42 caregivers. He expressed gratitude to the Jordanian government and healthcare workers for their continued efforts in providing specialized treatment, particularly for children from Gaza.
The healthcare system in Gaza is facing near-total collapse since the start of the Israeli aggression in October, exacerbated by a severe blockade that has prevented the entry of medical supplies, fuel, and medicines. The system is also hampered by ongoing restrictions on transferring critical patients for treatment outside the Strip.
According to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 70% of healthcare facilities in Gaza are out of service, either due to direct targeting or a lack of resources. Tens of thousands of injured people — mostly children, women, cancer patients, and those with chronic illnesses — require urgent treatment outside Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities continue to impose strict restrictions on patient travel through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, often delaying or denying exit permits without justification, leading to worsening medical conditions or even death.
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