THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted vast and urgent need for rehabilitation services in Gaza, revealing that at least a quarter—approximately 22,500—of those injured by 23 July are estimated to have life-changing injuries requiring immediate and long-term rehabilitation.

In its analysis report, titled Estimating Trauma Rehabilitation Needs in Gaza using Injury Data from Emergency Medical Teams, identifies severe limb injuries as the primary driver of this need, with estimates ranging from 13,455 to 17,550 cases. Many individuals have multiple injuries, and between 3,105 and 4,050 limb amputations have also been reported.

 Additionally, surges in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and major burns further contribute to the high number of life-changing injuries, affecting thousands of women and children.

Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, commented, “The dramatic increase in rehabilitation needs coincides with the ongoing devastation of the health system. Patients are unable to receive the care they need. Acute rehabilitation services are severely disrupted, and specialised care for complex injuries is unavailable, putting patients' lives at risk. Immediate and long-term support is urgently required to address these enormous rehabilitation needs.”

Currently, only 17 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially operational, and primary healthcare and community-level services are frequently suspended or inaccessible due to insecurity, attacks, and repeated evacuation orders.

Gaza’s sole limb reconstruction and rehabilitation centre, located in Nasser Medical Complex and supported by WHO, ceased functioning in December 2023 due to a lack of supplies and the departure of specialised health workers seeking safety. The centre was further damaged following a raid in February 2024.

The rehabilitation workforce in Gaza has also been severely impacted, with reports indicating that 39 physiotherapists have been killed as of 10 May.

Inpatient rehabilitation and prosthetic services are no longer available, and the demand for assistive products far exceeds the available equipment in Gaza. Essential stocks, such as wheelchairs and crutches, have run out, and replenishing supplies is challenging due to restricted aid flow into the region.

The analysis focuses on new injuries sustained since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023. However, many Palestinians in Gaza were already living with chronic conditions and impairments before this escalation, further complicating their situation due to the lack of appropriate services.

The WHO and its partners will use these estimates to plan for a surge in rehabilitation-related services and to contribute to long-term health planning and policymaking.

In the midst of ongoing hostilities, ensuring access to essential health services, including rehabilitation, is critical to prevent further illness and death. The WHO reiterates its call for a ceasefire to facilitate the rebuilding of the health system and address the escalating needs.