Geneva, April 25 (SANA) The World Health Organization (WHO) reported more than 17,000 cases of infection linked to rodents and external parasites among displaced people in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the year, amid worsening health and humanitarian conditions.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the WHO said in a statement that “desperate and dangerous conditions in Gaza continue to hinder recovery efforts,” pointing to rising infection rates among families as the health sector faces severe shortages of supplies and equipment.
The WHO estimated damage to the health sector alone at around $1.4 billion, noting that more than 1,800 health facilities have been partially or completely destroyed, including major hospitals such as Al-Shifa Hospital, as well as primary healthcare centers, clinics, pharmacies, and laboratories.
The WHO’s representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, Reinhilde Van de Weerdt, described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic”, noting that the scale of destruction on the ground is far worse than what reports and statistics convey.
She noted that over 17,000 infection cases have been recorded among displaced people, while more than 80% of displacement sites have reported skin diseases due to deteriorating living conditions.
The WHO also warned that restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid continue to obstruct the health response, calling for the protection of medical personnel and the unimpeded flow of medicines and essential supplies.
MHD
