Violence escalates in West Bank, WTO warns of spreading health crisis

The WHO said clashes in the West Bank have left more than 5,200 people, including 800 children, injured, causing a health crisis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns of a growing health crisis in the West Bank.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on June 14 that a growing health crisis is occurring in the West Bank amid a spiral of violence, attacks on medical facilities and restrictions that are preventing people from accessing health care.

The UN health agency has highlighted increased violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since the conflict between the Islamist Hamas movement and Israel broke out on October 7, 2023.

So far in the West Bank, this conflict has claimed the lives of 521 Palestinians, including 126 children. This number is even higher according to statistics from Palestinian officials.

The WHO said the conflict in the region has also left more than 5,200 people, including 800 children, injured, increasing the need for emergency treatment at already strained health facilities.

From October 7, 2023, to May 28, 2024, WHO recorded 480 attacks in the West Bank, including attacks on medical facilities and ambulances, and detention of medical staff and patients.

In addition, the closure of checkpoints, increasing insecurity, as well as sieges and closures of entire communities are making movement within the West Bank increasingly restricted and access to care more difficult than ever.

According to the WHO, health workers have received only half their salaries for nearly a year and 45% of essential medicines are out of stock. Hospitals are currently operating at only about 70% capacity.

Seeking medical care outside the West Bank has also become more difficult for patients, with 44% of requests to facilities in East Jerusalem and Israel being rejected or pending since October 7 last year.

WHO calls for immediate protection of civilians and strengthening of health care systems in the West Bank.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bao-luc-gia-tang-o-bo-tay-wto-canh-bao-ve-cuoc-khung-hoang-y-te-lan-rong-275117.html