Gaza: Over 22 000 people with life changing injuries urgently need rehabilitation, WHO warns

Tens of thousands of people with life changing injuries in Gaza are unable to access the critical rehabilitation services they need, or basic supplies such as crutches and wheelchairs, a report by the World Health Organization has warned.1

The report, published on 12 September, found that Gazans currently have no access to inpatient rehabilitation services or limb and reconstruction surgical services because of attacks on hospitals, evacuation orders, and a lack of staff. It said a quarter of all those injured in Gaza, around 22 500 people, urgently need these services to help them cope with losing limbs, head and spinal cord injuries, and burns.

“The war in Gaza has caused an enormous surge in traumatic injuries while severely disrupting available rehabilitation services,” the report said.

Speaking at a briefing on the findings, Pete …