Hundreds missing from Gaza’s Al-Aqsa Hospital, only 5 doctors remain: WHO
Gaza: The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza, the primary medical facility in the governorate of Deir el-Balah, has faced severe disruption as a result of intensified bombing, leading to the evacuation of both medical staff and approximately 600 patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) reported the concerning situation after visiting the hospital on Sunday.
Witnessing distressing scenes, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described people of all ages receiving treatment on blood-streaked floors and in chaotic corridors. The hospital, critical for providing medical services in the region, is now facing challenges due to the evacuation orders and safety concerns, with a significant reduction in the number of health staff. As of the latest reports, only five doctors remain, and the existing personnel are experiencing shortages of essential supplies, including food.
According to a post from the Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, his staff witnessed “sickening scenes of people of all ages being treated on blood-streaked floors and in chaotic corridors.
“Al Aqsa is the most important hospital remaining in Gaza’s Middle Area and must remain functional, and protected, to deliver its lifesaving services,” Dr Ghebreyesus stated.
“Further erosion of its functionality cannot be permitted – doing so in the face of such trauma, injury and humanitarian suffering would be a moral and medical outrage.”
“During today’s mission, we were informed that evacuation orders and lack of safety had forced most health staff to leave. Tonight’s reports indicate that only 5 doctors remain. Hospital management said health workers had no food,” WHO chief wrote.
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) reported the cessation of life-saving and critical activities by their emergency medical team at the hospital due to increased Israeli military activity. The UN and WHO dispatched an emergency team that distributed medical supplies, including support for dialysis and trauma care for thousands of patients. Plans for deploying additional emergency staff are in progress to address the escalating humanitarian crisis at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.
The WHO Director-General emphasized the importance of preserving the hospital's functionality to deliver life-saving services amid the ongoing trauma, injury, and humanitarian suffering.
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India progressing under PM Modi, Karnataka heading towards decline: Union Minister Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has said while India is moving steadily towards becoming the world’s third-largest economic power under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Karnataka is heading in the opposite direction under the Congress government.
Speaking at a programme to mark the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, along with the Atal Award presentation and Good Governance Day celebrations, the JD(S) leader said Karnataka was once a model state for governance and development.
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“Karnataka was once synonymous with exemplary governance. It had adopted an outstanding development model and emerged as a leader for the entire nation. But under the Congress government’s administration, all these distinctions have been lost, and the State is now moving in the opposite direction,” Kumaraswamy said.
He alleged that the current dispensation has completely damaged the education sector, noting that Karnataka was once a frontrunner in education.
“Karnataka, which once ranked first in good governance, has reached such a state today. Frivolous politics is being played in a good State. Administration across all departments; including health, education, agriculture and revenue has deteriorated. People must now seriously introspect,” he said.
Asserting that the era of good governance must return, Kumaraswamy said people are fed up with the misgovernance of this government.
Bengaluru, once the IT-BT capital and a hub of education and technology, has seen its infrastructure completely deteriorate, he said.
"The state government lacks the mindset to accept even well-intentioned and expert advice. It has developed a culture of speaking irresponsibly even about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.”
Noting that the state has all the potential and capacity to move forward, the union minister said, “At a time when India is stepping forward to become the world’s third-largest economic power under Modi government, one wonders in which direction Karnataka is heading? It is moving backwards and sliding into decline.”
Remembering Vajpayee as “Ajatashatru”, a leader without enemies who rendered long and distinguished service to the nation, Kumaraswamy said leaders like Vajpayee are rare today.
“His contributions as External Affairs Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Prime Minister were immense. He was a visionary leader who took the BJP from just two seats to 170 seats in Parliament,” he added.
Expressing concern over growing unrest, he said, “Karnataka must once again become a garden of peace for all communities. There is unrest in society. When one looks at what is happening within families, it causes anxiety. While technology is advancing and economic strength is increasing, there is fear even in turning on the television in the morning. There is no peace of mind for anyone. It is for this reason that I have advocated teaching the Bhagavad Gita at the school level. Unfortunately, politics is being unnecessarily mixed into this issue."
