Alarming warning from the World Health Organization for Gaza: 'Lack of fuel will lead to hospital closures'

World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Hanan Balkhy announced that medical aid restrictions on Gaza have brought the healthcare system to the brink of collapse. Balkhy stated that despite the ceasefire process, medical evacuations have not reached the desired level and that vital supplies are being blocked due to closed border crossings.

The ongoing blockade and security issues in the Gaza Strip are causing the collapse of the healthcare system. WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Hanan Balkhy emphasized that the restriction of medical aid is putting the lives of thousands of people in need of treatment at risk. Balkhy points out that medical evacuations have come to a standstill in the region despite the ceasefire.

The deepening humanitarian crisis is not solely caused by acts of violence. Balkhy states that access to healthcare services in the region has become nearly impossible and that this directly threatens the lives of civilians. Healthcare institutions are in great distress in responding to vital needs due to limited resources, insufficient fuel, and restricted transport options.

Balkhy answered questions from an AA reporter regarding the situation in Gaza, which is under intense Israeli attacks and blockade.

'HOSPITALS WILL STOP OPERATING BECAUSE THERE IS NO FUEL'

Balkhy stated, 'We see very clearly that access to health services is significantly compromised. Therefore, it is very clear that the health system is being pushed to its limits. They are working with very dwindling resources, limited access, and rapidly increasing needs. For example, life-saving supplies are ready but are still being blocked. While trucks, pallets, and medicines are waiting, patients have very little or no access to care. Most of the crossing points into Gaza are effectively closed. The flow of medical aid is severely restricted. This undermines the entire health response.' she said.

One of the most serious problems in the region is the lack of fuel. Balkhy said that fuel, which is vital for hospital generators to operate, has almost run out, and for this reason, 'mandatory rotation' is being applied in hospitals, and service capacity has been significantly reduced. She said, “Without fuel, hospitals will stop operating. This poses a risk not just for hospitals, but across the wider system.”

'AID WORKERS CANNOT GET IN'

Balkhy stated that medical evacuations are unpredictable, adding, 'This prevents critical patients from having reliable access to life-saving care. Public health risks are also rising again due to access issues and the fact that (aid workers) are not being allowed in. The destruction in Gaza continues. In terms of infrastructure and housing, the reconstruction and recovery of Gaza will take decades. So, when all these come together, an environment is created for ever-increasing health demands and the spread of diseases, and this continues to be a problem.'

The destruction of infrastructure and the lack of clean water and sanitation are accelerating the spread of diseases. Balkhy stated that this situation threatens not only the people of Gaza but the entire region in terms of health and has turned into a nightmare for healthcare workers.

Balkhy expressed, ''Indeed, the ceasefire remains fragile. The lack of free movement through crossing points, the obstruction of the entry of supplies and the number of patients leaving, along with displacements and population density, are critical in leading to more infections and hardships among the people of Gaza.''

Stating that medical evacuations in Gaza are not taking place at the 'required level' to save people, Balkhy made the following assessment:

'WE NEED MORE COUNTRIES THAT CAN WORK WITH US'

'Since October 2023, 11 thousand 245 patients have been evacuated. 52 percent of these, or 5 thousand 850, were children. There were 13 thousand 279 companions accompanying the patients. We were expecting to carry out many more medical evacuations during the ceasefire, but after the ceasefire, we were only able to evacuate 388 patients, and 47 of them were children. I would also like to thank the WHO member countries that accepted these patients. We need more countries that can work with us to accept patients in need of evacuation.'

Stating that the need for medical aid is still very high, Balkhy underlined that the number of countries ready to provide support during this process must be increased. It was also shared that the WHO has directly carried out the evacuation of 3 thousand 668 patients.

On the other hand, it is noted that medical evacuations have completely stopped at the Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings since February 28. It is emphasized that this situation could have dramatic consequences for the healthcare infrastructure, which is already under intense pressure.

Balkhy's statements draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza on the international stage. Facilitating both the flow of aid and the movement of healthcare workers is of critical importance for saving thousands of lives.