Geneva, Dec 10 - The World Health Organization (WHO) chief expressed concerns over the "catastrophic" health situation in Gaza, acknowledging the immense challenges in improving it. However, amidst this bleak scenario, an emergency motion proposed by Afghanistan, Qatar, Yemen, and Morocco was passed unanimously by the board to enhance medical access in the region.

The plight of the Palestinians in Gaza has been described as disastrous, with the recent Israeli assault leaving the majority of the population homeless and dealing with limited access to electricity, food, and clean water. Additionally, the healthcare system is on the verge of collapse.

The emergency action aims to facilitate the entry of medical personnel and supplies into Gaza, along with documenting instances of violence against healthcare workers and patients. It also seeks to secure funding for the reconstruction of hospitals in the region.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus admitted that accomplishing these tasks would be close to impossible considering the current circumstances. However, he commended participating countries for finding common ground, highlighting that this was the first time a United Nations motion had been agreed by consensus since the conflict began.

Tedros expressed grave concern over the escalating medical needs in Gaza, citing an increased risk of disease, while stating that the health system in the region has been reduced to only one-third of its pre-conflict capacity.

Mustafa Barghouti, Head of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees, emphasized the severe conditions in Gaza, saying that half of the population is now facing starvation. He revealed alarming statistics, stating that approximately 350,000 people are suffering from infections, including 115,000 with severe respiratory issues due to the lack of warm clothing and blankets.

Furthermore, the scarcity of clean water and fuel for boiling it have led to increased stomach complaints, which may result in outbreaks of dysentery, typhoid, and cholera. Additionally, with the majority of hospitals being non-functional, 46,000 injured individuals are unable to receive proper treatment.

Gaza's hospitals have faced relentless bombardment, sieges, and raids as part of Israel's response to Hamas' deadly attacks in early October. The hospitals that remain operational are overwhelmed by the influx of dead and wounded, leading to challenging circumstances where procedures are sometimes conducted without adequate anesthesia.

According to the WHO database, there have been 449 attacks on healthcare facilities in Palestinian territories since October 7, with no party being directly attributed blame.

Given the security situation on the ground, WHO Director General Tedros highlighted the difficulty in meeting the board's requests. He expressed deep regret over the United Nations Security Council's failure to reach a consensus on a ceasefire in Gaza, despite a veto from the United States.

Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila highlighted the critical shortages of medicines, emphasizing the dire urgency of the situation.

Although Israel criticized the motion for allegedly focusing disproportionately on Israel's actions, neglecting to mention the Israeli hostages in Gaza, and failing to address Hamas' alleged use of civilians as human shields, the United States, as a member of the WHO board, did not oppose the motion during the meeting.

The adopted text, seen by Israel as a "complete moral failure," continues to be a contentious topic. Notably, Israel is not a member of the WHO board.