Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., April 08, 2008 Nisan 3, 5768 | | Israel Time: 17:35 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 21:54 07/04/2008 UN official: Gaza medical system in 'pathetic state' By DPA Tags: Gaza Strip, UNRWA, Israel  A high ranking UN official on Monday described the Gaza health system as being in a "pathetic state" and said that European prisoners had better access to basic services than residents of the coastal Strip. John Ging, the Gaza head of UNRWA, the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees, said that access to health care and clean drinking water remained problematic. Advertisement "Many prisoners in European jails have access to better basic services than ordinary decent Palestinians living in Gaza," he said, referring to reports that likened the enclave to an "open-air prison" during an event in Gaza City to mark World Health Day. "Many parties were responsible for the current state of affairs in the enclave," Ging said, implying that the burden of improving conditions was on both the Israeli government and Palestinian factions. The problems of the health sector stem from both the Israeli restrictions imposed on imports to the Gaza Strip as well as power struggles between Fatah and Hamas, the main Palestinian parties. According to the World Health Organization, at least 32 people have died since June 2007, when Hamas ousted Fatah and overran the strip, while waiting to leave the enclave for medical treatment or due to delays in receiving care. Related articles: IDF prepares for sophisticated network of Hamas tunnels in Gaza UN rights body holds moment of silence for Gaza 'martyrs' UN Human Rights Council condemns IDF actions in Gaza Bookmark to del.icio.us   In his father's memory Gilad Sharon's son plans to write his father's memoirs as he lies in a coma. Jammed FM Police close an English radio station which encourages Israeli-Palestinian dialogue.   1.   Wow 21:54  |  Esteban 07/04/08   2.   Whats about the millions diverted to weapons? 22:03  |  spade 07/04/08   3.   great job hamas! 22:21  |  matt 07/04/08   4.   And why tell us about it? 22:32  |  Gee 07/04/08   5.   DO U want to IMPROVE ISRAEL`S I M A G E ????? 22:38  |  END THE OCCUPATION! 07/04/08   6.   Make `Love` , Not War 22:42  |  R 07/04/08   7.   Medically Pathetic War 23:04  |  Zev 07/04/08   8.   It`s cage not Prison 23:24  |  Gazan Lion 07/04/08   9.   They have millions for missles to commit war crimes! 23:40  |  David 07/04/08   10.   More UN drivel - Gaza medical access better than Egypt`s 01:27  |  Dr. L. Brnd 08/04/08   11.   Who cares? 01:28  |  Frank 08/04/08   12.   32 people died you say? 02:20  |  vik 08/04/08   13.   #5 END THE OCCUPATION! = END THE TERROR 02:30  |  * BEN JABO 08/04/08   14.   UN REPORT LOL LOL 03:18  |  TOBIA 08/04/08   15.   Study Medicine, Not Warfare Then! 05:27  |  Lavi 08/04/08   16.   #8 Gazan Lion: Move Over & Watch A Jewish Grandmother Build ... 05:51  |  Lavi 08/04/08   17.   Gee`s cruel joke 05:54  |  Ben Alofs 08/04/08   18.   Gazan Lion....Racism and discrimination 14:24  |  Lynn 08/04/08   19.   WHAT ABOUT THE MILLIONS DIVERTED 14:37  |  Robert 08/04/08   20.   #17 Ben Alofs - Nobody gets treated until we see Shalit 15:41  |  * BEN JABO 08/04/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: I want the Palestinians to win Responses: 91 Rosner: Evangelist to Yoffie: 'I'm not trying to undermine peace' Responses: 64 Moshe Arens: Making Palestine Judenrein Responses: 47 Barghouti peace overture to be read at Peace Now rally Responses: 52 Rosner's Domain New Guest: US should revoke support for Palestinian state Rice for Vice? (WTR) Pastor Hagee vs. rabbi Yoffie, round two Poll: Yoffie or Hagee - you can vote! What is worth fighting for? More Headlines 16:36 Katsav backs out of sex crime plea bargain, will go to trial 17:32 Katsav accuser: Decision to drop plea deal stems from denial 14:35 Beilin: Follow-up summit to Annapolis set for May 14:35 Ahmadinejad: We've added 6,000 centrifuges to nuke program 12:53 Israeli Holocaust scholar Saul Friedlander wins Pulitzer Prize 17:12 Galilee Arabs paint mosque blue and white for Israel's 60th 11:44 Vice PM: Ofra settlement homes built on private Palestinian land 14:40 Israelis: We didn't hear sirens during landmark civil defense drill 11:15 Barghouti peace overture to be read at Peace Now rally 11:35 Hamas official hints at another Gaza border breach Previous Editions Select Day 07 apr 06 apr 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar

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