Seriously ill children could leave Gaza Strip
Twelve minors suffering from cancer and other life-threatening diseases have been taken out of the Gaza Strip, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
They were taken to Egypt and Jordan with their caregivers to continue their medical treatment there, the WHO announced in Geneva.
The operation was coordinated between the Palestinian and Israeli authorities with the help of the USA, Egypt, Jordan and the St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, USA.
"I pray that this initiative will inspire all sides to put health and peace first," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. One of the two specialist clinics for cancer patients has had to close due to a lack of materials and the security situation, while the other is only functioning to a limited extent. Care for cancer patients has been reduced to a minimum. According to the WHO, all partners are working to bring more seriously ill patients out of the Gaza Strip.
The lack of adequate cancer treatment facilities and the ongoing security conflicts in the Gaza Strip have resulted in a significant reduction in health services for children with cancer. This situation has led to the closure of one of the two specialist clinics for cancer patients in the region. The urgent need to address human rights concerns, including access to essential medical care, necessitates efforts to transport seriously ill children, such as those with cancer, out of the Gaza Strip for life-saving treatment.
Source: www.dpa.com
