Islamabad, The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has called for urgent international intervention to rescue Gaza’s crumbling health system. In a plea directed to international bodies and countries, PIMA emphasized the dire situation of Palestinian civilians and the deteriorating state of healthcare facilities in the region.
According to Pakistan Islamic Medical Association, Dr. Abdul Aziz Memon, the central president of PIMA, highlighted the severe challenges faced by the health sector in Gaza. He reported that the number of active hospitals in the Gaza Strip has drastically reduced from 66 to 11 temporary facilities, which are currently under siege and frequent attacks. These hospitals face critical shortages of medications, medical supplies, fuel, and are grappling with severe water scarcity. Additionally, 110 health centers have been shut down.
Dr. Memon emphasized the grave violations of the Geneva Convention by Israel, citing targeted attacks on Gaza’s hospitals, the killing of over 300 healthcare workers, the arrest of senior doctors, and the destruction of ambulances. He described the situation as unprecedented, with hospitals being systematically deprived of essential resources like fuel, electricity, water, and medical supplies.
The temporary active hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with wounded patients and are struggling to contain the spread of diseases such as stomach ailments, pneumonia, meningitis, and scabies. The scarcity of clean drinking water has escalated the risk of various infectious diseases.
PIMA, representing doctors worldwide, has urged international organizations, including the United Nations, to take immediate actions. These actions include ensuring the continuous operation of hospitals in Gaza, enhancing their functionality by providing essential items like medical supplies and fuel, sending medical personnel, and establishing safe humanitarian corridors for evacuating severely injured and ill individuals.
This call to action from PIMA underscores the critical condition of Gaza’s healthcare system and the urgent need for global support to prevent further humanitarian crises in the region.