Deputy Director of the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, Samir Zaqout, said that patients in the Gaza Strip are among the most marginalized and vulnerable groups in society and face distinct discrimination.

Zaqout added in a statement that reached Safa that by the occasion of World Health Day, which falls on April 7 of each year, Gaza patients suffer the scarcity of resources, poor health capabilities, and the Israeli policy of arrest and interrogation.

“The latest form of discrimination practiced by Israel is the denial of the Gaza population from vaccinations for Covid-19, it is time for the international community to intervene to cancel and stop the restrictions and measures that prevent patients from obtaining health care,” said Zaqout.

Today, the world celebrates the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization, which was established in 1948, and this year it bears the title Achieving justice and building a more healthy world.

Al-Mezan warned of the continued restrictions imposed on patients in the Gaza Strip, and the continuous shortage of laboratory materials, medicines, and medical supplies.

It called on all parties to intervene and take great care to ensure the effective enjoyment of the right to physical and mental health, and to provide equal possibilities and means of obtaining the necessary health care.

He called for the stopping of any discriminatory acts, and the activation of international justice and accountability mechanisms to compel the Israeli authorities to respect their obligations under international law.

Al-Mezan Center stressed the necessity of demanding the international community to take concrete and urgent steps that would stop the continuous violations of the rights of Palestinians from Gaza to receive appropriate health care, and pressure the Israeli authorities to respect and implement the obligations arising from international humanitarian law.

Besides, Zaqout renewed the call to international agencies, institutions, and specialized organizations to continue providing support to the Palestinian health sector to be able to adequately provide health services to the population.