The Labyrinths to Health in Gaza

The report contextualises the health system within the 12 years of blockade and the current de-development of the Gaza economy. It highlights that the current short-term humanitarian funding schemes directed to the health sector are not addressing the medium and longer-term development needs of a sector trapped in a protracted conflict. It sustains that the current situation is negatively driving the financial burden towards an unsustainable referral-based system, which is reaching its limits. It then portrays the main consequences this has on the system and in particular the patients. The report therefore encourages all actors involved to join forces to strengthen the humanitarian-development nexus and address very concrete challenges in improving the geographic distribution of health services. However, the report stresses that these development steps can only work if concrete political measures are taken at addressing the root causes: the blockade and the occupation of the Palestinian people.