During the opening ceremony of the 77th World Health Assembly, Dr. Ghebreyesus called for a cease-fire in the conflicts in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, ahead of rising attacks on health facilities, relief vehicles and medical personnel.

“In these three situations and others, we continue witnessing attacks over healthcare system,” Dr. Ghebreyesus said.

According to WHO´s latest report, attacks over the entity popped up in 19 nations, causing 749 deaths and over 1,200 injured.

Since October 7, WHO has sent 18 teams of professionals to Gaza, who have treated 400,000 people, made 18,000 surgical interventions, donated 500 hospital beds in order to attend to as many wounded as possible, and tried to mitigate the collapse of the health system as a result of the constant Israeli attacks.

Dr. Ghebreyesus added that they delivered US$15 million in food, water and medical supplies to hospitals and health centers, and another US$13 million in supplies are on the way.

In his words, he assured that WHO will continue supporting Gaza´s health system till the end of the conflict, and once the conflict is over, WHO will support reconstruction.

Dr. Ghebreyesus heaped praise on the collaboration made by WHO member states so that they can make progress in reducing and eliminating diseases including malaria, of which Azerbaijan, Belize, Tajikistan and Cape Verde have recently declared themselves free.

In his speech, he referred to the stepped-up efforts in the last two years to challenge Covid-19 and respond to the losses it caused, including at least seven million lives.

Pll/oda/crc