WHO reports: State of emergency forces unnecessary amputations in Gaza Strip

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There are many reasons for this, WHO representative for the Palestinian territories Rik Peeperkorn and WHO emergency medical team coordinator Sean Casey said on Tuesday. They spoke to the press in Geneva via video link from Jerusalem and Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.

Often the injured arrive late because the ongoing fighting prevents them from reaching hospitals sooner, Casey said. There was a lack of specialists there, such as vascular surgeons. Due to the great need, hospitals are also overcrowded and operating rooms are full for life-saving operations. “I have never seen so many amputees, including many children,” Peeperkorn said.

Casey said from Rafah that recent amputees were begging in their beds for food or water. Deliveries were not enough to reach everyone, especially in the north of the area. “Everyone there is hungry,” he said. According to Peeperkorn, 15 of the former 36 hospitals are currently functioning partially. There are also three field hospitals. As has been the case for weeks, WHO representatives called for a ceasefire to provide better care to people.

Palestinian terrorist groups attacked Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping 240. Since then, Israel has been fighting them with massive attacks. According to Palestinian information, more than 23,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since October – one percent of the population. According to the WHO, more than 50,000 have been injured, some seriously. (SDA)

Source: Blick