WHO Strives to provide healthcare in Eastern Mediterranean region despite funding cuts

The World Health Organization(WHO) has reiterated its commitment to responding to health emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean region despite funding cuts and security concerns in the region. 

Due to the United States(US) announcement to withdraw funding,  the WHO has had to consider the healthcare issues in the region and make sure that help gets to where they are most needed so as to maximise the use of available resources. 

In a virtual health emergencies media briefing held on Tuesday, March 18th, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, said it was time for the crisis in Gaza to come to an end as hundreds of lives had been lost directly due to the crisis and lack of access to healthcare services. She said the lack of funds was enormous and could bring about the closure of 80 percent of WHO-supported essential healthcare services by June this year and negatively impact gains made over decades in the fight against polio. 

“Across the Region, we are working hand in hand with Governments to strengthen capacities to prevent, prepare for, detect, respond to and recover from health emergencies. 

“Without WHO-led surveillance and early-warning systems, diseases would spread undetected for longer, increasing our vulnerability to outbreaks and pandemics. 

“Without Emergency Medical Teams, countries with weak health systems would no longer be able to manage large-scale crises. 

“Without WHO’s last resort supply chain and logistical support, hospitals in conflict zones would run out of fuel, supplies, essential medicines and oxygen. 

“Without technical assistance for outbreak management, epidemics would be harder to control, and more people would die. 

“Without support for critical immunisation programmes, millions would be at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. 

“And without WHO’s key role in managing biothreats, chemical hazards and laboratory safety, the world would be less prepared for biological attacks and lab-related outbreaks. 

“Every day, from cholera control in Yemen, to the management of severe acute malnutrition in Sudan, to the provision of trauma care in Gaza, WHO’s work saves lives and protects the vulnerable,” Balkhy concluded. 

The WHO representative in occupied Palestinian territory, Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, said that despite the ongoing Gaza crisis, WHO was still working tirelessly to deliver medical supplies needed for both communicable and non-communicable diseases during ceasefires. 

He raised concerns that the WHO had not been able to get any aid into the area since March 2nd but they were hopeful that soon they would be able to take supplies to the needed areas as food and water were becoming scarce due to the continued conflict. 

“In Gaza there is food and water insecurity as traders are withholding food. The number of meals that people have has reduced and it has affected their nutrition intake. It’s the same with water, only 13 percent of the water supply is working. 

“WHO has been stocking up our supplies and during ceasefires we are able to go in and distribute to people. Right now we need to replenish medicines for primary healthcare, laboratory equipment and non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer because they are running out.  Oxygen is also scarce and we need to get five to ten oxygen plants to work in Gaza. 

“All hospitals are working full time and 20 out of 36 hospitals are functional. During the ceasefire we distributed supplies to these hospitals. We are ready to bring in more supplies,” Peeperkorn stated.