World Health Organization (WHO) spokeswoman Margaret Harris warned that prolonged heat will become a major problem in the Gaza Strip and exacerbate all kinds of health problems in the region.
Harris spoke about the health situation and epidemics in Gaza, which has been under intense Israeli attacks since October 7 last year.
She pointed out that the heat wave has serious negative consequences for diseases in Gaza, where nearly two million people live in tents in extremely poor conditions.
“The metal and plastic tents in Gaza are in open areas and have little protection from the heat. Access to clean water and food is also very limited here. The tents are made of plastic and the purpose of this plastic is to protect the tent from water, but it is not thermal insulation,” she said.
Recalling that last week the temperature in Gaza rose to 30 degrees for days, Harris warned of the risks it brings to the sick.
Harris also warned that in certain cases immunity decreases due to hot weather, and there is a high risk of increased incidence of infectious diseases.
“Lack of drinking water is a big problem. About two liters of water per person per day is not enough. Especially as the weather gets warmer, more water is needed. It will also increase the possibility of infectious diseases. In Gaza since October 7 last year, there have been 712,000 upper respiratory tract infections, 380,000 cases of diarrhea, 87,800 cases of scabies and 47,800 cases of jaundice,” said Harris.
Expressing concern about the large number of patients with digestive tract problems in Gaza, Harris said that the most vulnerable are children.
“Diarrhea remains the leading cause of death for children under the age of five worldwide. We hear from doctors that more and more small babies are dying in Gaza,” said Harris and added:
“The healthcare system in Gaza has completely collapsed. Only 11 of the existing 36 hospitals provide partial services, and 25 are not working at all”.
She said that the establishment of a ceasefire is the only way to establish a functional health system in that Palestinian region, AA writes.
