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A young Palestinian recalls the Israeli onslaught through art
The UN and a coalition of over 80 humanitarian organisations called on Tel Aviv and Cairo yesterday to end their suffocating blockade of the Gaza Strip, warning that it is endangering the health of over 1.4 million Palestinians.
One year on from the end of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, the Association for International Development Agencies (AIDA) highlighted the health impact of the continuing blockade there.
AIDA, which unites over 80 NGOs, again called on Israel to relax its tight control of the Gaza Strip’s borders to allow in a sufficient supply of essential items and access to care not available in the enclave.
UN humanitarian co-ordinator for the Palestinian territories Max Gaylard emphasised that the blockade is undermining the underfunded local health-care system and putting lives at risk.
“It is causing ongoing deterioration in the social, economic and environmental determinants of health,” Mr Gaylard said, warning that it was “hampering the provision of medical supplies and the training of health staff and it is preventing patients with serious medical conditions getting timely specialised treatment.”
Israel generally permits supplies of drugs into Gaza, but not enough to prevent shortages.
Certain medical equipment such as x-ray and electronic devices are difficult to bring in and clinical staff frequently lack equipment they need.
According to the UN, 1,103 patients sought permits for treatment in Israel in December 2009.
Most succeeded but 21 per cent were denied or delayed.
“Two patients died recently while awaiting referral, one in November and one in December,” the UN said, adding that a total of “27 patients have died while awaiting referral” in 2009.
Tags: blockade of the Gaza Strip, healthcare system, humanitarian organisations, Israel
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