Gaza's health system has suffered immensely from repeated attacks by the Israeli army, and also from an ongoing shortage of supplies, medicines, fuel and staff, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) via the U.N. news platform UNifeed.
As the latest round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Gaza nears one year, over six percent of the population in the Palestinian enclave has either been killed or injured, according to the WHO.
It noted that there have been at least 516 attacks on healthcare in Gaza since October 2023, resulting in 765 deaths.
According to the local Ministry of Health, around 1,000 health workers have been killed.
Only half of Gaza's hospitals are partially operational, while just 43 percent of primary healthcare centers are functional, according to the organization.
Only 50 percent of pre-conflict hospital beds, or 1,800 hospital beds, are available in Gaza to cover the needs of more than two million people, compared with 3500 beds before the war, according to Health Cluster.
The WHO says there are 15,600 patients in the region requiring medical evacuation, with only 5,138 being evacuated so far. It added that since May 7, only 229 patients have been evacuated.
Regarding health needs in Gaza, it underlined that the lack of food, water and medicines has increased the spread of diseases and exacerbated the needs of people living with health conditions. The organization also highlighted infectious diseases and malnutrition woes in the region.
Gaza health system suffers immensely from repeated attacks by Israel: UN media
Gaza health system suffers immensely from repeated attacks by Israel: UN media
Gaza health system suffers immensely from repeated attacks by Israel: UN media
A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities on Thursday wrapped up their nine-day visit to Taiwan. They set off for Taiwan on Nov. 27 and visited universities, historical sites, scenic spots, as well as sports, sci-tech and cultural venues on the island, widely engaging with locals throughout the tour.
The delegation made the tour at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation.
"The young people from both sides of the Strait share the same root, and we are having a harmonious communication this time. We also welcome young people from Taiwan to visit the mainland for exchange," Cao Yibo, a student from Peking University, told reporters during the tour.
The delegation included table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long who studies at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian of Tsinghua University.
"In the future, I would like to visit Taiwan again. I did not expect that so many compatriots in Taiwan would come to welcome and us and pay so much attention to our exchange tour," Ma said.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, saw off the delegation at the airport on Thursday, and said the mainland students and teachers had received Taiwan residents' heartfelt welcome wherever they went.
"The farewell dinner party was held yesterday evening, when almost all students from the mainland shared their feelings. What moved me so much is that every one of them thanked people here, because the latter sincerely and warmly welcomed them wherever they went during the nine-day tour. They told me that when they go back, they will tell their relatives and friends that people in Taiwan are kind, hospitable and warm. I believe that is the most important purpose of the exchange across the Strait," he said.
Calling youth exchanges a foundation of cross-Strait relations in the future, Hsiao said the foundation will carry on and continue to promote such exchanges across the Strait.
This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the visit by a first delegation in July last year.
Delegation of mainland university students, teachers wraps up Taiwan visit
