Global medical organizations urge WHO to address health crisis in Gaza

The letter, addressed to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, highlights the catastrophic collapse of healthcare infrastructure in the region due to disproportionate attacks by the Zionist occupation regime.

The signatories, including various associations and initiative platforms, emphasize the critical need for WHO intervention to ensure the delivery of healthcare in Gaza. The ongoing attacks, targeting civilians, medical facilities, personnel, and transportation, have severely impeded healthcare services, with numerous hospitals being destroyed or severely damaged. The letter also draws attention to the arbitrary arrests of healthcare personnel, exacerbating the crisis.

The medical organizations call for urgent actions, outlining specific measures for WHO to consider, including the establishment of mobile healthcare units, safe transfer of injured individuals, prevention of denial of medical aid, and the creation of safe shelters for healthcare workers. The letter stresses the importance of preventing infectious diseases, ensuring vaccination for children, and addressing the specific needs of pregnant women, cancer patients, and those exposed to chemicals.

The signatories express their anticipation for prompt attention to the matter, emphasizing the urgency of rebuilding Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, protecting civilians, and supporting medical professionals in delivering crucial care. The letter concludes with a list of the organizations and platforms endorsing the appeal.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

Letter to the World Health Organization,

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

World Health Organization

WHO Headquarters Avenue Appia 20

1211 Geneva

Switzerland

On behalf of the founders of civil initiative platforms worldwide and in representation of thousands of physicians, we write to you on January 18, 2024, to call the World Health Organization (WHO) to take immediate action in response to the healthcare crisis unfolding in Gaza. It is our sincere appeal that the WHO assumes primary responsibility for the assurance of healthcare in this region which is presently experiencing a catastrophic collapse of its healthcare infrastructure.

In reference to “the Open Letter”, we wish to inform you that its signatories have been meticulously gathered from the diverse associations and initiative platforms dedicated to amplifying voices and fostering support. An updated list (logo) of associations is listed below the letter.

Dear Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,

The situation in Gaza has reached a critical level due to disproportionate and overwhelming attacks on civilians, including medical facilities, personnel, and transport by the IDF. The ongoing air attacks have significantly impeded healthcare delivery, with the majority of hospitals being destroyed or severely damaged. Targeting healthcare personnel has further intensified the crisis as arbitrary arrests appear to be employed as a war strategy following the military occupation.

Immediate action is essential to rebuild Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, protect civilians, and ensure that medical professionals are able to provide crucial and necessary care to patients.

In light of these circumstances we kindly request the World Health Organization to consider the following urgent actions:

1. Ensuring the establishment of mobile healthcare units on the borders, delivering international medical aid, and placement of healthcare personnel to these units.

2. Ensuring the safe transfer of the injured/ healthcare-needed people from the Gaza region to these fields under the supervision of an international medical team.

3. Taking necessary actions to prevent the denial of medical aid to civilians and provide the region with necessary supplements (medicines, medical consumables, energy providers) under the supervision of an international medical team

4. Taking necessary precautions in the field to prevent infectious diseases

5. Ensuring that children are vaccinated against tetanus, hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, pneumococcus, measles and varicella

6. Creating safe shelters for hospital staff and healthcare workers and meeting their basic needs.

7. Arranging maternity units for Gaza to provide immediate care for the 50.000 pregnant women currently awaiting assistance

8. Ensuring the reactivation of the oncology hospital to continue the treatment of nearly 10.000 cancer patients in the region

9. Providing mobile respiratory devices (e.g. nebulizers, BIPAP machines’ and homeVents) for children and elderly who are exposed to heavy chemicals, especially those with underlying chronic diseases

10. Ensuring safe sanitation measures in the region and providing preventive public health measures as clean and drinkable water resources

11. Obtaining information about healthcare workers who have been taken captive by military forces and ensuring their well-being by maintaining an ongoing flow of information, ensuring that they will be treated according to international agreements.

Your prompt attention to this matter is of paramount importance, and we appreciate your anticipated consideration and cooperation,

Sincerely,

List of organizations/platforms that signed the letter:

1. Aile Hekimleri Dernekleri Federasyonu (AHEF)

2. Aile Hekimliği Çalışanları Sendikası (AHESEN)

3. Alliance of International Doctors (AID)

4. Bağımsız Diyaliz Merkezleri Derneği (DİYAMER)

5. Doctors For Palestine (Morocco)

6. Doctors Standing Against Oppression (Standing Doctors)

7. Emergency Physicians Association of Turkey (EPAT)

8. Filistinli Tabipler ve Sağlık Mensupları Derneği (FİLMED)

9. GETAT Doktoru