The Health Sector in the Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO) held an urgent meeting with the Head of WHO sub office in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Mahmoud Daher, to discuss the deterioration of the health conditions in the Gaza Strip.

The meeting discussed the serious consequences of fuel shortage, running out of many types of essential medicines, and the financial crisis of cleaning companies in hospitals and health facilities, on healthcare services in the Gaza Strip.

Dr. Daher provided a brief on the health situation in the Gaza Strip, he clarified that the available fund for fuel needed to operate generators in hospitals and health facilities is hardly enough until the mid-March. He also referred to the shortage of medicines and medical supplies and the associated health risks.

PNGO health sector warned of the serious impacts of the crisis on the patients’ lives and the ability of health facilities to cope with the growing health needs in light of the continued Israeli occupation's blockade on Gaza, the internal political division and lack of funding as well as the US funding cuts to UNRWA.

PNGO health sector called to neutralize the health sector and patients’ rights to medical treatment away from political disputes. They stressed that the national consensus government and the Minister of Health have to take their responsibilities to ensure the right to health in the Gaza Strip and to find urgent solutions to health sector challenges, and to ensure that the fundamental right of Palestinians to access healthcare is protected.

PNGO Health Sector called on donors to urgently provide needed assistance to the Palestinian health sector in the Gaza Strip to ensure population's health security.

PNGO Health Sector also called on the international community to exercise pressure on the Israeli occupation to end the blockade of the Gaza Strip and ensuring the Palestinian patients’ right to travel for treatment and ensure their enjoyment of their right to health.