RAMALLAH, Sunday, November 19, 2023 (WAFA) – The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark characterization of the situation unfolding at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, describing it as a "death zone" following the Israeli army's mandate to evacuate patients, the wounded, and medical staff, compelling them to trek on foot to the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
A joint United Nations humanitarian assessment team by WHO, conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Al-Shifa Hospital to gauge the dire conditions within the facility. Comprising public health experts, logistics officers, and security personnel from various UN agencies, the team painted a harrowing picture, deeming the hospital a "death zone" and the overall situation as "desperate."
Despite time constraints imposed by the prevailing security situation, the team managed to spend one hour inside the hospital, where they bore witness to evidence of Israeli shelling and gunfire. In a shocking discovery, a mass grave was found at the hospital's entrance, with reports indicating that over 80 people had been laid to rest there.
Currently, Al-Shifa houses 25 health workers and 291 patients. In the past two to three days, several patient deaths occurred due to the cessation of medical services resulting from the Israeli military siege. Among the critical cases are 32 babies, 2 individuals in intensive care without ventilation, and 22 dialysis patients whose access to life-saving treatment is in serious jeopardy.
The patient population primarily comprises victims of war trauma, encompassing complex fractures, amputations, head injuries, burns, chest and abdominal injuries, and 29 patients with severe spinal injuries requiring medical assistance for movement. Many trauma patients grapple with infected wounds due to a lack of infection control measures and the unavailability of antibiotics.
WHO expressed profound concern about the safety and health needs of patients, health workers, and internally displaced individuals at the remaining partially functional hospitals in the north. These institutions face imminent closure due to a shortage of essential supplies and heightened hostilities. Urgent efforts are imperative to restore hospital functionality and provide critically needed health services in Gaza.
Reiterating its plea for collective action, WHO implored an immediate ceasefire, sustained humanitarian assistance, unhindered access, and a halt to attacks on vital infrastructure to address the burgeoning humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. "The suffering in Gaza necessitates an immediate and tangible humanitarian response."
In the face of the unfolding tragedy at Al-Shifa Hospital, urgent action is paramount. The World Health Organization's stark assessment demands an immediate ceasefire, sustained humanitarian aid, and unhindered access. Gaza's residents and hospitals need swift collective efforts to alleviate their suffering. #CeasefireinGazanow
The KTruth