In this critical interview with StratNews Global and Global Compass, Tarik Jasarevic, spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO), sheds light on the dire health crisis unfolding in Gaza. Speaking to Global Compass from Geneva, Jasarevic paints a grim picture of a region where the health system has been systematically dismantled amid ongoing conflict. With only 16 out of 36 hospitals partially functional, millions of people are left without access to essential healthcare services. The situation is particularly alarming for vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women, who are deprived of basic medical care in this conflict zone.
Jasarevic highlights the immense challenges faced by health workers in Gaza, who continue to operate under incredibly dangerous conditions. Many hospitals have closed due to evacuation orders, leaving a critical shortage of medical staff, supplies, and fuel. The interview also addresses the growing threat of polio, which has re-emerged due to the sharp decline in immunization rates. The deteriorating sanitary conditions, lack of clean water, and overcrowded living spaces have created an environment ripe for the spread of infectious diseases, further endangering the lives of Gaza’s children.
Jasarevic emphasizes the urgent need for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need and to begin the long process of rebuilding Gaza’s shattered health infrastructure. He calls for international support, urging the global community to not only provide aid but also to advocate for the protection of healthcare workers and facilities, which have been frequently targeted in the conflict. The WHO’s ongoing efforts to document these attacks and to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis are crucial steps in seeking justice and ensuring that health services are respected and protected in times of war.
This interview is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the critical importance of global solidarity in addressing such crises.
