WHO at Al Ahli

Yesterday, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyes, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), conveyed a crucial mission aimed at delivering vital life-saving trauma and surgical supplies to the severely damaged Al Ahli hospital. The mission was undertaken in an environment marked by active shelling and artillery fire, posing significant risks. The hospital, located in the old city, between the Shujaiya and Zeitoun neighborhoods already obtained substantial damages and is in urgent need of oxygen, essential medical supplies, water, food, fuel, and additional health personnel.

Dr. Tedros emphasized the pressing nature of the situation, stating, "We cannot wait any longer for a sustained ceasefire and a safe, scaled-up humanitarian response." Within Al Ahli, approximately 1,500 individuals are seeking refuge, and WHO faces the challenge of transferring 19 critically ill patients. Unfortunately, an aid truck en route to North Gaza was halted twice at the Wadi Gaza checkpoint. Humanitarian workers from the Red Crescent, the Red Cross arm in Gaza, were detained and questioned for several hours.

Expressing deep concern, Dr. Tedros highlighted the adverse impact of prolonged checks and the detention of health workers on the lives of already fragile patients. Tragically, due to this detention, one critically ill patient lost his life. Dr. Tedros emphasized, "The people of Gaza have the right to access health care. The health system must be protected. Even in war."