PSR Statement on Gaza Healthcare Crisis and Demands for Immediate Humanitarian Intervention October 24, 2023

CONTACT: Isabella Javidan , ijavidan@psr.org , 612-812-3231

Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) expresses deep distress over reports–including from the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health in Gaza–of the total collapse of the healthcare system and hospitals in Gaza. The imminent threat of running out of fuel, water, medicine, and anesthetics is a critical issue that jeopardizes the lives of countless individuals who depend on these facilities for essential medical care. The scarcity of aid relief trucks being allowed through the border exacerbates the already precarious situation of people living in Gaza.

The World Health Organization’s revelation that 64 percent of healthcare facilities, including 12 out of 35 hospitals, are non-operational is a grave concern. The reasons cited, whether due to direct attacks or a lack of essential resources like fuel, underscore the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.

As advocates for health and well-being, we call for immediate international attention and humanitarian intervention to ensure the swift delivery of essential supplies, including fuel and medicines, to Gaza. The humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region demands a collective effort to safeguard the health and lives of the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.