Department Of Health Annual Report 2023
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
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| Recently commissioned multinational humanitarian pier through which humanitarian aid enters Gaza |
As we reflect on the challenges and achievements of the past year, we must address the unprecedented war unfolding in Gaza. At the time of writing in April 2024, UNRWA has lost over 188 staff members including 11 health care professionals. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families who have suffered unimaginable loss. This report is a testament to our deep appreciation for our healthcare staff, who have remained committed to delivering quality health service, even in the face of personal risk.
For much of 2023, the Agency focused on treating its 300,000 patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), providing developmental care for 350,000 children under five, and promising safe delivery for 70,000 pregnant mothers. Of the 5.97 million Palestine refugees registered across all fields of operation, over half continue to rely heavily on Agency health services. Before October, Palestine refugees in Gaza comprised the largest demographic benefiting from these services, consistently leading in the utilization of NCD care, child health care, preconception care, antenatal care, mental health care and many other UNRWA-provided services.
But in the last three months of 2023, Gaza’s share of medical consultations dropped rapidly, as UNRWA was forced to close 14 of its 22 health centres and power outages shuttered access to telehealth systems.
