The World Health Organization has warned that more than 18,500 patients in the Gaza Strip are still in urgent need of medical evacuation, highlighting the severe strain on the territory’s collapsing health system.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X that thousands of critically ill and injured patients remain without access to the specialised care they need. His remarks were reported by the Palestinian official news agency WAFA.
Ghebreyesus said the WHO supported the medical evacuation last week of 18 patients and 36 companions from Gaza to Jordan, where they are receiving treatment for serious injuries, cancer and other life-threatening conditions. He expressed gratitude to Jordan for its continued solidarity and willingness to receive patients requiring urgent care.
According to the WHO, more than 30 countries have accepted over 10,700 patients from Gaza for medical treatment since October 2023. Despite these efforts, the needs remain overwhelming.
More than 18,500 patients, including around 4,000 children, are still awaiting urgent medical evacuation, Ghebreyesus said, stressing that delays could prove fatal for many of them.
The WHO chief called on additional countries to open their doors to patients from Gaza and urged the resumption of medical evacuation routes to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to help ease pressure on Gaza’s overwhelmed healthcare facilities.
The appeal comes as international health agencies continue to warn of worsening humanitarian and medical conditions in Gaza amid ongoing hostilities and restrictions on access to care.
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