Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issues appeal for the safety of health teams preparing for a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza. File | Photo credit: Reuters
Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has issued an appeal to protect the health teams preparing for the disease Polio vaccination campaign In Gaza.
Mr. Tedros stressed that it is imperative for all concerned parties to ensure the safety of health workers, medical facilities and children while implementing this vital public health initiative. Al Jazeera,
“We urge all parties to ensure their safety, that of health facilities and that of children,” Mr Tedros said in a social media post as the operation is set to begin on Sunday (September 1).
This call for security has come against such a backdrop Increasing violence in the regionEarlier, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation also appealed for lasting peace, which he said was the only way to protect the children of Gaza.
“Polio vaccination teams must be protected and allowed to carry out upcoming campaigns in Gaza safely. We urge all parties to ensure their safety, and that of health facilities and children. Humanitarian pauses are welcome, but ultimately the only solution to safeguard the health of Gaza’s children is a ceasefire,” the WHO chief said.
The WHO also highlighted the case of 10-month-old Abdul Rahman, who was reported to be Gaza’s first polio case in 25 years. The WHO said the case was a stark reminder of how war steals the future. The WHO said it was planning a two-phase vaccination campaign to protect 640,000 children in the war-torn region.
Recent events have raised concerns on this issue Protecting humanitarian efforts in GazaThis week, four security personnel accompanying an aid convoy were tragically killed in an Israeli airstrike. In another incident, a vehicle belonging to the UN’s World Food Programme crashed. killed in Israeli firing The incident happened near a checkpoint, underscoring the volatile environment in which aid organisations are operating.
The director of the American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) said in an interview, Al Jazeerarevealed that Israeli forces had given no prior warning or communication before targeting their convoy. The attack killed four Palestinians and has raised concerns about the dangers faced by those delivering essential aid in conflict zones.
The World Health Organisation’s appeal highlights the urgent need for a safe environment for health workers, who play a vital role in fighting diseases like polio.