Palestine: WHO Warns of Severe Health Crisis in Gaza - Press Conference | United Nations

World Health Organization (WHO) senior official in Gaza Rik Peeperkorn said that the health needs in the Strip are “immense” as functional health facilities and services are scarce. Peeperkorn today (06 Feb) spoke to reporters from Gaza via video link. On mental health, the WHO senior official said that that everyone in Gaza is affected by the conflict, with stress, anxiety, depression and feel of loneliness. He said that only two psychiatrists are in the north and a few mental health professionals. Peeperkorn also said that WHO started a training program. “As of now, 44 mental health humanitarian workers were trained on psychological first aid to provide immediate emotional and psychological support early and also ensure early detection and enable safe referrals.” On a positive note, the WHO official said that Shifa Hospital “bounced back in the middle of the severe destruction, some departments are working, and it's working again as a referral hospital.” He said that WHO is supporting an emergency medical team. “There's general surgery going on, trauma surgery going on, and more in child health. A lot is going on. And also some substantial renovations to expand the impatience department and the ICU,” Peeperkorn added. On medical evacuation, the WHO official said, “There should be more patients going through Rafah into Egypt. But we also want other medical corridors, and the first medical corridors we really want to see restored is the traditional referral pathway to West Bank and East Jerusalem. The hospitals are ready in East Jerusalem and West Bank to receive the patients.” Asked about the recent announcement on US withdrawing from his Organization, Peeperkorn said, “We need a strong World Health Organization which plays a crucial role in protecting the health security of the world people, including Americans, and addressing the root causes of disease, but also building stronger health systems, detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where we of us cannot go.” “And therefore, we really hope for this reconsideration and look forward to engaging in this constructive dialog, at all levels,” he concluded.


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