GENEVA: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said the resurgence of polio in Gaza is a consequence of the continuous destruction of the infrastructure and health system by Israeli forces.

‘The resulting unhygienic and appalling living conditions, and the lack of access to vaccination, can lead to the spread of the disease,’ said Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in a post on X.

It said that the Ministry of Health and the United Nations have launched a large-scale polio vaccination campaign, adding that their teams will be providing logistical and organizational support in five health facilities across Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, and Khan Yunis, south of Gaza.

‘The campaign which targets around 640,000 children under 10 years old is a positive step, but it is still a drop in the ocean in response to the critical medical humanitarian needs.’

‘The campaign and announcement of military pauses during the vaccination should not divert attention from the relentless violence and impact on delivery of humanitarian aid,’
it said.

The healthcare system has almost been completely destroyed by Israeli forces: out of 36 hospitals, only 16 are functional, it said.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA