Geneva: The value of damage to the health sector in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank since the start of Israel’s war in October 2023 amounted to over $7 billion, split between reconstruction costs and service delivery needs, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.
According to Jordan News Agency, WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territories, Rik Peeperkorn, detailed the extensive damage during a media briefing at the UN headquarters in Geneva via video conference. He stated that 772 health facilities were either completely or partially destroyed, including 95 percent of hospitals, 91 percent of private health facilities, and 88 percent of public health centers, along with pharmacies and clinics, as per the WHO official website.
The losses to health infrastructure alone amounted to $1.3 billion, with $809 million attributed to the destruction of hospitals. The largest share of this destruction was in Gaza Governorate, accounting for $682 million, followed by North Gaza at $112 million, and Khan Younis at $132 million, Peeperkorn explained.
The Gaza health sector faced a total loss of $6.3 billion due to service interruptions and the loss of human resources, with 1,700 health workers reported missing. This led to production losses of $2.7 billion. Additionally, increasing health burdens from injuries, infectious diseases, malnutrition, and psychological problems contributed to further losses of $3.2 billion, with $2.5 billion directly related to injuries and deaths.
Furthermore, health facilities experienced a loss of $8.6 million in annual revenues due to a cessation of direct payments from patients.