Cancer Care in Gaza Strip Now Narrowed Down to One Hospital
Cancer treatment hospital in Gaza Strip shuts down operations - Cancer hospital in Gaza shuts down, leaving no facilities for cancer treatment in the region, as per WHO.
Along with the incessant attacks, a devastating blow has struck the Gaza Strip - a major hospital providing cancer treatment has been forced to shutter its doors. This grim turn of events comes after the Israeli military initiated a Tuesday assault on the region, leaving the hospital critically damaged and inaccessible, according to WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom. A team from WHO managed to evacuate the staff, but not without posing risks as a nearby strike occurred moments before they vacated. Tedros strongly appealed for the protection of healthcare facilities amidst the warzone, expressing that they should never be subjected to militarization or attacks.
In solidarity, the medical charity, Doctors Without Borders, underscored the stark repercussions caused by the discontinuation of services at the European Hospital. It highlighted that Gaza Strip, which has already seen its health system crumble amidst ongoing turmoil, now stands completely barren at the Nasser Hospital, located in Khan Yunis. This hospital, also hit for the second time in mere weeks, preceding the attack on the European Hospital, is the lone operational clinic left in the region.
This latest wave of Israeli attacks began on March 18th, reemerging from a two-month ceasefire. In early May, the Israeli security council declared an expansion of the offensive and adopted a plan for the "conquest" of the Gaza Strip. Concurrently, Israel imposed a blockade on humanitarian aid deliveries since March 2nd, further adding to the distressing situation faced by the residents of the Gaza Strip.
- Gaza Strip
- Cancer Treatment
- World Health Organization
- Tedros Adhanom
Further details:
- The most recent attack on the hospital has dealt a substantial blow to cancer patients, who already faced hurdles such as inaccessibility to chemotherapy drugs and operational radiation equipment due to the ongoing blockade[2].
- The closure has drastically strained the overburdened healthcare system in the Gaza Strip, as the remaining hospitals, partially functional, are already overwhelmed[1][4]. As of now, the Nasser Hospital, which was also hit, is the only functioning public hospital in Khan Yunis[1].
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus underscored the importance of protecting healthcare facilities and advocated for a ceasefire to mitigate the escalating humanitarian crisis[4][5].
- Based on data from MSF and WHO sources[1][3][4]
Who is appealing for the protection of healthcare facilities amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza Strip? Tedros Adhanom, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief.
Last week, the European Hospital, which provided cancer treatment in Gaza Strip, was forced to shutter its doors due to a critical Israeli military assault, leaving cancer patients without a suitable hospital for their medical-conditions.
In Khan Yunis, the lone operational clinic left for cancer treatment is the Nasser Hospital, the latest victim of the ongoing attacks. This hospital has been hit twice in a matter of weeks, and its continued operation is a significant concern for those dealing with cancer in the region.
