GENEVA (Reuters) – The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed Thursday that a US-Israeli campaign has caused 13 attacks on healthcare facilities across Iran and Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of four medical professionals and injuries to at least 25 others.
The WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted these attacks at a press conference without attributing them to any party. He stated, “WHO has verified 13 attacks on healthcare infrastructure in Iran and one in Lebanon.” Dr. Hanan Balkhy from the WHO elaborated further, stating that four ambulances in Iran had been damaged and several hospitals experienced minor structural damage due to nearby strikes.
A letter sent by Iran’s UN ambassador to Tedros earlier this week claimed that ten facilities were hit by military strikes. These reports underscore the severe impact of the ongoing conflict on healthcare systems across the region.
The evacuation of a Tehran hospital as a precautionary measure was previously announced by the WHO. Balkhy added, “One of these hospitals in the capital had to be evacuated due to safety concerns.”
Balkhy also disclosed that the WHO logistics hub in Dubai, which supplies health resources to over 80 countries, is temporarily unavailable due to restricted transportation in the area.
The situation highlights not only the vulnerability of healthcare facilities but also the critical role played by international organizations like the WHO in ensuring access to essential medical services amidst conflict zones.