New York [US], March 12 (ANI): World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that health systems across the Middle East are under severe strain as the conflict enters its 13th day.
In a post on X, Ghebreyesus said, “More than 10 days into the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East, health systems are under immense strain. Reports indicate over 1,300 deaths and 9,000 injuries in Iran, at least 570 deaths and more than 1,400 injuries in Lebanon, and 15 deaths with 2,142 injuries in Israel.”
He added that attacks on healthcare facilities are increasing, with the WHO verifying 18 attacks in Iran, 25 in Lebanon, and two in Israel since February 28, resulting in casualties among healthcare workers.
“These attacks not only claim lives but also deprive communities of critical care when they need it most,” Ghebreyesus said.
He further warned that public health risks are escalating as large-scale displacement worsens humanitarian conditions.
“Public health risks are soaring, with more than 100,000 people in Iran and up to 700,000 in Lebanon displaced under deteriorating conditions and facing limited access to clean water and sanitation,” he said. “Vulnerable populations, especially women and children, are at heightened risk of illness.”
The situation has been compounded by the closure of several healthcare facilities. In Lebanon, 49 primary healthcare centers and five hospitals have shut down due to evacuation orders, while access to medical services remains severely restricted in the occupied Palestinian territories and Gaza.
Disruptions in medical supply chains caused by airspace restrictions have also created significant backlogs in essential health supplies for more than 1.5 million people across 25 countries.
The WHO has called on all parties to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access, emphasizing that peace remains the most effective remedy for the crisis.
“WHO calls on all parties to protect civilians and healthcare, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and work toward de-escalation. The urgency for action is critical to prevent the collapse of already fragile health systems and to support the recovery of impacted communities. Peace is the best medicine,” Ghebreyesus said.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution condemning what it described as Iran’s “egregious attacks” against its regional neighbors amid rapidly escalating violence in the Middle East, while rejecting a second draft resolution tabled by the Russian Federation.
The 15-member council adopted Resolution 2817 (2026) by a vote of 13 in favor, none against, with two abstentions from China and the Russian Federation.
The vote comes as the conflict, which began with Israeli and United States airstrikes against Iran on February 28, approaches its two-week mark and has spread to nearly a dozen countries across the already fragile Middle East region.
Under the terms of the resolution, the council condemned “in the strongest terms” Iran’s attacks against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, and reiterated its strong support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of those countries. (ANI)
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