WHO Warns of Uncontrolled Spread
Photo: Jehad Alshrafi/AP/TT

WHO Warns of Uncontrolled Spread of Infectious Diseases in Gaza

The World Health Organization WHO warns that infectious diseases are spreading out of control in Gaza, as only 13 of Gaza Strip's 36 hospitals have any activity.

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The warning comes from Hanan Balkhy who is the regional chief for WHO. Balkhy notes that the ceasefire between terrorist-stamped Hamas and Israel can indeed mean that emergency aid can reach the inhabitants, but that the challenges are "beyond all understanding".

We are talking about enormous work that lies ahead of us (when it comes to the spread of diseases), whether it's about meningitis, diarrhea or respiratory diseases, says Balkhy.

Balkhy notes that the list of acute needs is long: fuel, food and medical equipment, medicines and doctors.

In an interview with the news agency AFP, she says that it is currently uncertain whether the hospitals in Gaza can be repaired, or if they need to be built from the ground up. Regardless of what is required, it will require "many billions of dollars and decades of work".

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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