West Asia conflict putting health systems at risk, affecting medical supply chains: WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said almost 1,000 deaths have been reported in Iran, 50 in Lebanon, 13 in Israel and 11 in other gulf countries.
In addition, WHO has verified 13 attacks on health care in Iran, and one in Lebanon.
Expressing its “serious concern” over attacks on healthcare in Iran, the WHO said “at all times and in all places, health workers, patients and health facilities must be protected – even in war.”WHO said they are working closely with their offices in the affected countries to monitor the impact on the delivery of health services, and provide support when needed and requested.
But the impact goes beyond the immediately affected countries.
Operations at WHO’s Logistics Hub for Global Health Emergencies in Dubai are currently on hold due to insecurity, it said.
Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, also highlighted the impact on the supply chain and mitigation efforts.Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, also highlighted the impact on the supply chain and mitigation efforts.
“The situation across the Eastern Mediterranean is escalating rapidly, with serious consequences for civilians and health systems.”The WHO said last year, WHO’s Global Health Emergencies Logistics Hub in Dubai fulfilled more than 500 emergency orders for 75 countries across all six WHO regions.
However, humanitarian health supply chains are now being jeopardised, it said.
The Hub’s operations are temporarily on hold due to insecurity, airspace closures and restrictions affecting access through the Strait of Hormuz.
This disruption is preventing access to US$18 million in humanitarian health supplies, while another US$8 million in shipments cannot reach the hub.
More than 50 emergencyHalf of global humanitarian needs are concentrated in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, it added.
“We are coordinating the health response across affected countries, supporting ministries of health and partners to sustain essential services, as well as strengthening disease surveillance and preparing for potential mass casualties and displacement,” the WHO said.
WHO said they are also pre-positioning trauma supplies and essential medicines, supporting countries to maintain critical public health functions, as well as scaling readiness for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear risks.
Across the region, nearly 1,000 people have reportedly been killed and 7,000 injured.
“One of our most serious concerns is attacks on health care. In the past week, WHO has verified 13 attacks on health care in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” it said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “WHO is deeply concerned about the conflict in the Islamic Republic of Iran andUnder international humanitarian law, health care must be protected and not attacked.
The conflict is also causing significant displacement.