The ongoing conflict has severely impacted healthcare access in Gaza, particularly for cancer patients who require specialized treatment.
The call for reopening the humanitarian corridor reflects a broader humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the need for international intervention and support.
If the humanitarian corridor is reopened, it could significantly improve the survival rates of cancer patients in Gaza.
Increased international attention may lead to more sustained humanitarian efforts and pressure on authorities to facilitate medical care access.
The East Jerusalem Hospitals Network held a conference at Augusta Victoria Hospital to address the urgent need for reopening a humanitarian corridor for cancer patients from Gaza to Jerusalem. The conference highlighted the plight of approximately 25,000 Gazans needing medical care, with over 12,000 suffering from cancer. Dr. Fadi Al-Atrash, Director of Al-Mutala' Hospital, emphasized the dire situation, stating that 60% of cancer patients in Gaza are dying due to interrupted treatment since the war began on October 7, 2023. The conference called for international support and immediate action to facilitate medical evacuations and ensure safe passage for patients seeking treatment.
The WHO representative in the region, Dr. Rick Peeperkorn, and other speakers stressed the critical need for humanitarian aid and medical supplies. They proposed establishing safe corridors for patient evacuation, ensuring no child travels alone for treatment, and guaranteeing the safe return of patients to Gaza after receiving care.
