By Gabrielle Tétrault-FarberGENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday called for Gaza's vulnerable health infrastructure to be safeguarded as the war-torn enclave faces an increased risk of epidemics and challenges in detecting infectious diseases.
Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said only 15 of Gaza's 36 hospitals were still functioning and were completely overwhelmed.
"The remaining health system capacity must be protected, supported and expanded."
"With severe overcrowding, the risks are increasing for epidemics of respiratory tract infections, acute watery diarrhoea, hepatitis, scabies, lice and other diseases," Tedros said.
"Any resumption of violence could damage the health facilities and make more health facilities dysfunctional," said Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Persons:
Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Tedros, Mike Ryan, Richard Peeperkorn, Linda Pasquini, Christina Fincher
Organizations:
Farber GENEVA, World Health Organization, WHO, WHO's, West Bank
Locations:
Israel, Geneva, Gaza, Palestinian Territories