Gaza: In Gaza, medical needs remain vastly outpacing available services despite a fragile ceasefire, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Friday, as access denials, supply shortages, and blocked routes hinder lifesaving care.
According to Anadolu Agency, Richard Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, informed reporters in Geneva about the dire healthcare situation. He emphasized that "needs remain immense compared to health care availability," pointing out that only half of Gaza's 36 hospitals are partially functional. Additionally, a mere 82 out of 194 primary health centers, approximately 41%, along with 10 field hospitals, are currently operational.
Seven hospitals are located beyond the ceasefire line, which includes two facilities in Khan Younis, two in North Gaza, and three in Rafah. Peeperkorn reported that two of these, Beit Hanoun and Kuwait Specialized Hospitals, have been destroyed, while the remaining five are beyond reach.
Since the pause in fighting, 26 health service points have reopened, and eight new ones have been established. WHO is actively repairing critical units, such as the Pediatric and Neonatal ICUs at Rantisi Hospital, to enhance neonatal care.
However, the northern region remains severely underserved. "There are no functioning hospitals in North Gaza, where at least 20,000 people are estimated to be," the spokesperson stated. WHO teams were denied access again on Friday while attempting to reach Kamal Adwan Hospital to set up a new primary health center.
At Shifa Hospital, WHO is installing a desalination plant to support the territory's only hemodialysis unit, which treats 165 patients with 32 machines, four of which are currently non-functional. The demand is expected to reach 300.
Access restrictions also continue to impede care at the European Gaza Hospital, where WHO is unable to retrieve and redistribute urgently needed cardiac equipment.
Peeperkorn noted progress in addressing malnutrition, mentioning WHO's role in restoring operations at Al-Kheir Hospital in Khan Younis and opening a new 20-bed stabilization center. "There have been 825 admissions to SAM stabilization centers since January 2025, with zero mortalities reported since mid-October," he stated.
"According to the Ministry of Health, 343 out of 622 essential drug items, 55%, are currently at zero-stock levels," Peeperkorn highlighted, urging for all crossings and routes to be opened. Since the ceasefire, WHO has delivered 2,050 pallets of supplies, but internal movement remains hampered by roadblocks and security concerns.
An 11-day immunization campaign vaccinated over 13,700 children, with further rounds planned. Screening during the campaign identified 508 acutely malnourished children.
Peeperkorn also called for expedited medical evacuations, noting that over 16,500 patients still require medical evacuation outside of Gaza. He urged increased international support and the opening of evacuation corridors, particularly to the West Bank.