WHO chief expresses concern over infectious disease threat in Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
30 Dec 2023 09:00
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Approximately 180,000 people are grappling with upper respiratory infections.

An elderly Palestinian woman with disability views massive destruction due to Israeli aggression (AFP)

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed serious concern over the increasing risk of infectious diseases in Gaza.

"As people continue to be massively displaced across the south of Gaza, with some families forced to move multiple times and many sheltering in overcrowded health facilities, my WHO colleagues and I remain very concerned about the increasing threat of infectious diseases," Tedros said on X.

As people continue to be massively displaced across the south of #Gaza, with some families forced to move multiple times and many sheltering in overcrowded health facilities, my @WHO colleagues and I remain very concerned about the increasing threat of infectious diseases.… pic.twitter.com/yszTuAN8Eu
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 29, 2023

Tedros mentioned that from mid-October to mid-December, residents in shelters have remained susceptible to illness. Approximately 180,000 people are grappling with upper respiratory infections, and there have been 136,400 reported cases of diarrhea, with half of them affecting children under the age of five.

Additionally, there have been 55,400 instances of lice and scabies, 5,330 cases of chickenpox, and 42,700 cases of skin rash, including 4,722 cases of impetigo.

#Gaza is grappling with a health emergency exacerbated by cold weather, overcrowded shelters, scarce food, and contaminated water which has resulted in a surge of infectious diseases. The dire situation has overwhelmed hospitals, leaving the sick with limited treatment options.… pic.twitter.com/JY8O5Unwuo
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 14, 2023

"WHO and partners are working tirelessly to support the health authorities to increase disease surveillance and control by supplying medicines, testing kits to support prompt detection and response to infectious diseases such as hepatitis, and trying to improve access to safe water, food, hygiene and sanitation services," said Tedros.

Gazans 'not living, they're surviving': MSF

Guillemette Thomas, who serves as the Medical Coordinator for Palestine with Doctors Without Borders (MSF), overseeing the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, told The Journal from her base in occupied al-Quds that the current situation is unparalleled in her experience.

“It’s the first time I’m exposed to such a horrific situation, with such intense violence, and for such a long period,” she said.

Thomas addressed the challenging circumstances faced by internally displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. She also highlighted the ongoing attacks by Israeli occupation forces on hospitals, ambulances, and healthcare workers since the start of the war on Gaza, resulting in over 21,000 Palestinian martyrs and millions displaced.

A complete siege was imposed on Gaza following the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, with "Israel" cutting off all access to food, water, fuel, and electricity in the already blockaded and impoverished region.

In MSF's recent report on the situation in Gaza, it was noted that internally displaced Palestinians are enduring harsh conditions, facing "dangerously little levels of food and water." The report highlighted instances where people are resorting to drinking saltwater, and some shelters are equipped with only one toilet for every 600 individuals.

Thomas characterized the conditions as "dire", leading to a notable surge in diseases, infections, and dehydration. She explains that the lack of access to basic amenities like showers and toilets is contributing to the rise in various diseases, particularly diarrhea, and dehydration due to the absence of clean water.

'Infected wounds'

"A high number of people with wounds have infections because they have no way to maintain proper hygiene conditions, no access to healthcare, and even the most basic injuries are becoming infected," explained Thomas.

She added, "Another issue related to the living conditions is the increase in respiratory tract infections, as they are living outside in overcrowded places, which is a factor contributing to these infections, along with skin infections."

"They're not living; they're surviving. They are enduring the same conditions faced by many displaced people worldwide. What exacerbates the atrocity of this situation is that they have no means to escape the bombing, shelling, and violence, which is unique to this conflict. People are in an exceptionally vulnerable and challenging situation due to living conditions, compounded by the constant violence and threats to their lives," Thomas emphasized.