WHO - Right to Health (Exit Phase)

Imposed restrictions on movement; use of excessive force, displacement and refugeehood, have all resulted in systematic deficiencies of the social determinants of health and lowered the health status of the affected Palestinian population.

Since 7 October 2023, the situation has further aggravated. Limitations in the delivery of health supplies, the destruction of health facilities, attacks on ambulances and personnel and restrictions for medical evacuation are increasing.

WHO supports the development of an effective, locally-led Palestinian healthcare system through evidence-based information, capacity building of health stakeholders and policy dialogue with both humanitarian and development stakeholders for appropriate measures.

• Palestinian national authorities and Ministry of health (MoH)
• Government of Israel with its Civil Administration controlling the oPt (Coordinator of the government activities in the territories – COGAT)
• Health and human rights organizations, health academia, patient support groups.

1. Strengthened evidence results in enhanced understanding of duty bearers, health partners, and rights holders, informing policies and efforts to address barriers to the right to health affecting Palestinians in the oPt.
2. Duty bearers and civil society partners’ capacities have advanced understanding of the human rights based approach to health.
3. Rights holder capacities are strengthened and empowered to claim health rights.
4. WHO reports and briefings influence public attitudes and discussion on the right to health and increase knowledge and awareness of duty bearers towards accountability and policy change to uphold the right to health

Erwartete Resultate:  

1. Data demonstrating barriers to health access, attacks on health care, and determinants of health is collected, analyzed, and available.
2. Testimonies and in-depth documentation of violations of the right to health are collected and effectively disseminated.
3. Research and synthesis of data is conducted and published on barriers to the right to health for Palestinians.
4. Capacities of the Palestinian Ministry of Health and key health partners are strengthened for implementing a human rights-based approach in delivering health care.
5. Capacities of the Palestinian Ministry of Health and health partners are strengthened for active reporting on violations related to restriction of health access and health attacks.
6. Capacities of the Palestinian Ministry of Health and key health partners are strengthened for addressing key determinants of health.
7. Capacities and participation of rights holders is strengthened for decision making and policies related to social determinants of health
8. Information products are produced that influence public attitudes and discussion on the right to health and social determinants of health of Palestinians.
9. Reports and briefings to UN reporting mechanisms and duty bearers understanding of policy changes needed to achieve SDG3 in occupied Palestinian territory

Resultate von früheren Phasen:  

• WHO Database was established for the collection of evidence-based access barriers, social determinants of health and health attacks.
• Improvement in the number of patient-exits across checkpoints prior to October 2023 (In Gaza, about 2000 patients exited per month for treatment)
• Strengthened data reporting on referral system of patients to health care with regular monthly and annual reports
• Reducing number of denials of humanitarian permits for patients (i.e. approval rate for Gaza patients increased from 31% in 2021 to 74% in July 2022),
• Policy dialogues conducted to shift policies and practices of key duty bearers, resulting in increased proportion of children accompanied by parents for health care, improved ambulance access at checkpoints and issued licenses for the Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulances.
• WHO mainstreamed