By: Xolani Khumalo
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alarm over the dire state of public health in Gaza, describing conditions as catastrophic, with hospitals operating far beyond their capacity.
According to the WHO, less than 50 percent of hospitals and only 38 percent of primary healthcare centres in the territory are partially functional. Many facilities are overwhelmed, lacking the resources and personnel needed to provide even basic care.
Since the beginning of 2025, at least 148 people have died from malnutrition-related causes in Gaza, including 49 children. This is a stark indicator of the deepening humanitarian crisis.
Dr Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO’s representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, said that access for international medical teams and essential supplies remains a major challenge. He warned that without urgent and sustained humanitarian access, the death toll is likely to rise.
Health authorities and international agencies continue to call for immediate and unhindered access to deliver aid, restore healthcare services and prevent further loss of life in the embattled region.
