World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has emphasized the urgent need to address Gaza’s health crisis, calling for sustained medical support and a permanent ceasefire to ensure long-term stability in the region.

Speaking at the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, Ghebreyesus outlined the organization's key priorities, including supporting hospital operations, providing primary healthcare, and facilitating the transfer of critically ill patients inside and outside Gaza for specialized treatment.

Since the ceasefire began, the WHO has sent 63 trucks of medical supplies, with 30 more expected in the coming days. Ghebreyesus noted that the organization provides 60% of all medical supplies and 100% of the fuel required for hospitals and emergency services in Gaza.

He detailed WHO's response during the recent aggression on Gaza, which involved deploying 52 emergency medical teams from 26 different organizations. These teams provided over 2.4 million medical consultations, conducted more than 36,000 emergency surgeries, treated around 86,000 injuries, and vaccinated 550,000 children against polio.

The WHO has also been actively involved in negotiating humanitarian truces to facilitate medical assistance in Gaza.

Ghebreyesus condemned ongoing attacks on health facilities, revealing that the WHO verified over 1,500 attacks on healthcare services in 15 countries last year, resulting in 932 deaths and 1,767 injuries. He urged member states to implement nine key recommendations from a WHO report aimed at enhancing accountability and protecting medical workers in conflict zones.

The WHO chief concluded by stressing the importance of turning the Gaza ceasefire into a lasting peace, ensuring the protection of health infrastructure and access to medical care for all affected populations. (ILKHA)