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WHO warns of devastating medical supply delays in Gaza
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of ‘devastating consequences’ for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip due to chronic delays and restrictions on the entry of life-saving medical supplies. According to the WHO, large volumes of medical goods face a median wait time of 74 days for clearance through Israeli authorities. While approximately 87 percent of medicine applications are approved, other essential items such as X-ray machines, sterilization equipment, and spare parts for CT scanners are frequently rejected.
Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, the WHO representative in Palestine, noted that one shipment of prosthetics and assistive devices was rejected four separate times in the last six months. The health system in Gaza is severely compromised; currently, none of the 36 hospitals in the territory are fully functional, with only 19 operating at a partial capacity.
Additionally, the United Nations reported that Israeli restrictions on access to 65 percent of Gaza’s land serve as a primary barrier to humanitarian relief and efforts to protect displaced families from winter flooding. Approved aid is currently limited to entry through the Kerem Shalom crossing, while the Rafah crossing is used only for limited movement of people.
Entities
Gaza Strip · Hamas · Israel · Israel · Kerem Shalom · Medical Aid for Palestinians · Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics · Reinhilde Van de Weerdt · United Nations · World Health Organization
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] It takes an average of two and a half months to obtain authorization for certain medical supplies through the Israeli approval system. www.globaldiasporanews.com · www.naiz.eus
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The number of functional CT scanners in Gaza has dropped from 18 before the war to only three currently available. zmnfm.ps
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 40% of laboratory and diagnostic equipment requests remain blocked awaiting authorization. www.globaldiasporanews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The authorization rate for medicines is approximately 87%. www.globaldiasporanews.com · www.naiz.eus
- [● 4 SOURCES] Only 19 of the 36 hospitals in Gaza are partially operational. www.globaldiasporanews.com · royanews.tv · almanartv.com.lb · minanews.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] None of the 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip are operating at full capacity. www.globaldiasporanews.com · www.naiz.eus · royanews.tv
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The three remaining functional CT scanners are located at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, Nasser Medical Complex, and Hamad Hospital. zmnfm.ps
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Only 35 out of 57 hospitals in Gaza are partially operational. minanews.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Older people, aged 60 and above, make up about 5% of Gaza's population.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Approximately 87% of medicines are approved, while 1% are rejected. www.arabnews.jp · www.arabnews.pk · www.aljazeera.com · haitigazette.com · www.excelsior.com.mx · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Israeli restrictions on 65% of Gaza's land are the main obstacle to humanitarian aid and shelter. independentpress.cc
- [● 6 SOURCES] Israel restricts items that could have dual military and civilian use to prevent Hamas attacks. www.arabnews.jp · www.arabnews.pk · www.excelsior.com.mx · www.tvn-2.com · www.timesnownews.com · +1 more