WHO Report: 1 in 4 Gaza Injuries Require Rehabilitation
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently released a report highlighting the severe rehabilitation needs of the wounded in Gaza. It is estimated that one in four individuals injured in Gaza by July 23, totaling approximately 22,500 people, have sustained life-changing injuries that require immediate and ongoing rehabilitation services.
Among those in need of rehabilitation are individuals who have suffered serious limb injuries, with an estimated number ranging between 13,455 and 17,550. Additionally, between 3,105 and 4,050 limb amputations have been carried out in Gaza. The report also points out the rapid increase in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and major burn injuries, particularly among women and children.
Only 17 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are partially functional, leading to the frequent suspension or inaccessibility of basic health services due to security concerns, attacks, and Israel’s demands for forced displacement. The report also highlights the dysfunctional state of Gaza’s only limb reconstruction and rehabilitation center at Nasser Hospital, which was forced to close in December 2023 due to lack of supplies and the departure of specialized health workers for safety reasons.
Furthermore, the report reveals that a significant portion of the rehabilitation workforce in Gaza has been displaced, with 39 physiotherapists killed as of May 10. This has resulted in a lack of inpatient rehabilitation and prosthetic services, leaving many injured individuals without access to vital healthcare products. The report also addresses the challenges faced by Palestinians in Gaza who were already living with chronic illnesses and disabilities prior to the conflict that began in October 2023.
WHO Representative in Palestine, Rik Peeperkorn, emphasized the urgent need for immediate and long-term support to address the extensive rehabilitation needs in Gaza. He expressed concern over the destruction of the health system and the resulting lack of access to critical care for patients with complex injuries, highlighting the urgent need for support to prevent further risks to patients’ lives.
