WHO requires US$ 8.7 million to address the health needs of populations affected by the crisis in Gaza
Overview
Years of occupation, blockade and conflict have weakened the health system in Gaza. Recurrent power cuts and an unstable power supply affect medical care; the functionality of medical equipment has deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance and lack of spare parts; access for 2,000 referral patients is restricted by permits, and there are critical shortages of medical supplies, including essential medicines (28.3% zero stock at central level in June 2014. A tracer study of 48 critical drugs showed 40% were at zero stock at district level and 46% at clinic level in June 2014. Drug stock dropped further in July during the conflict but im-proved in August following the flow of donations). This has been aggravated by the financial constraints on the Palestinian authori-ty. Even before the recent conflict in Gaza, the health service de-livery in Gaza was on the brink of collapse.
The military action in Gaza lasted 51 days during which 2,145 peo-ple were killed, and a further 11,231 injured – 10% of whom will likely have long-term or permanent injuries. According to the Ga-za Health Cluster Joint Assessment Report, 16 hospitals, 51 prima-ry health care clinics, and 45 ambulances were destroyed or dam-aged. 23 health workers were killed, and a further 83 injured.
During the conflict, thousands of trauma patients overwhelmed the capacity of medical facilities and depleted already severely limited stocks of medicines and supplies. There was also a huge impact on patients requiring continuous treatment for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancers and diabetes, as during the conflict treating patients with trauma became the priority. These patients suffered from shortage of drugs, inaccessibility of services and a reduction in the number of referrals outside of Gaza for patients who cannot re-ceive adequate services in the Strip.