Director of Christian Aid medical partner in Gaza says people are dying because medical services cannot cope with the numbers of injured.
Since 7 October, the Ministry of Health in Gaza says more than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed and almost 50,000 injured. 1,200 Israelis have also been killed.
People living there have been under siege conditions for more than 60 days with essentials like food, water, fuel and medicines running out.
Dr Ayed Yaghi, Director of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) told Christian Aid: “The health sector is on the verge of collapse, unable to cope with the soaring numbers of casualties and fatalities.
“Hospitals have lost their treatment ability and capacity, and medical teams are treating the wounded with very limited capabilities. The medical teams are tired and exhausted, especially since they have been working without interruption since October 7.
“As health professionals, we have warned many times and weeks about the possibility of infectious diseases spreading among the people taking refuge in the shelters.
“Today the health situation in the shelters is too dangerous. Medical teams have registered the spread of diarrhoea among children, a three times increase of acute respiratory infections, a four times increase of skin diseases and hygiene-related conditions such as lice, and the registration of some cases of hepatitis.”
Christian Aid is calling on all world leaders to press for a full and permanent ceasefire to come into effect immediately. The charity says this is the only serious option to stop further loss of civilian life and deepening this humanitarian catastrophe.
ENDS.
