GENEVA: Kuwait has voiced profound concern over the deteriorating health and humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and the Syrian Golan Heights, as the 78th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) continues in Geneva. The remarks came during a statement delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the United Nations in Geneva, Counselor Abdullah Al-Khubaizi, as the assembly discussed the health conditions in Palestine and the occupied Syrian Golan under Item 20 of the agenda.
Al-Khubaizi strongly condemned the continued repressive measures and systematic violations against civilians in these regions, particularly the targeting of healthcare infrastructure and personnel. He cited alarming reports by the World Health Organization (WHO), which outline the growing challenges faced by the Palestinian health sector due to the ongoing blockade and restrictions on the movement of patients and medical workers.
The Kuwaiti diplomat denounced repeated attacks on hospitals and ambulances, which he said have deprived thousands of civilians of their fundamental right to access essential healthcare services. He warned of the devastating consequences of the ongoing escalation in the Gaza Strip, describing it as an unprecedented humanitarian and health crisis marked by soaring casualties, disease outbreaks, critical shortages of medical supplies, and the near-total collapse of the local health system.
Al-Khubaizi further underscored the urgent need to ensure that WHO is granted full and unimpeded access to carry out its mandate in the occupied Palestinian territories. He called for bolstered technical and financial support to enable the organization to address the worsening health crisis effectively. The World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the WHO, is expected to vote on a draft resolution addressing the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan Heights, before the session concludes on May 27. — KUNA
