WHO adopts two resolutions supporting health sector in Palestine
Geneva (ANTARA) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted two draft resolutions during the 79th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, held from 18-23 May, to support health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and the Syrian Golan Heights.
The Assembly adopted the first draft decision, titled ‘Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights,’ with a majority of 89 countries in favour, 31 abstentions, and 5 votes against. The decision highlights the worsening humanitarian and health conditions, particularly in the Gaza Strip. The dire food and health situation is linked to policies of starvation and the prohibition of essential supplies, which have resulted in the collapse of the healthcare system and an increased risk of disease outbreaks in overcrowded displacement camps.
The resolution demands that the WHO Director-General prepare periodic reports based on field assessments to monitor violations against patients, the wounded, medical personnel, and ambulances. It emphasises the need to protect vital facilities, ensure the unhindered entry of fuel and medical supplies, and secure vaccines, medicines, and mental health services, particularly for children and adolescents experiencing trauma, while strengthening specialised care for critical cases to prevent serious complications.
Furthermore, the decision stresses the necessity of complying with measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), including the opening of borders and the facilitation of medical evacuations. There is also an urgent call for an international donor conference to be held before the next World Health Assembly session to support the reconstruction of the Palestinian health sector.
The Assembly also adopted a second draft decision, ‘Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,’ with a majority of 108 countries in favour, 13 abstentions, and 3 against, marking one of the highest levels of international support for the Palestinian issue within the organisation. This decision is based on resolutions adopted during a special session held in December 2023, focusing primarily on the dire health and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the extensive damage to health infrastructure caused by Israeli aggression.