Tlaleng Mofokeng, the United Nations expert on the right to health, has issued a warning about potential long-term mental health consequences for the people of Gaza as a result of the ongoing conflict. While physical injuries may be visible and easy to comprehend, Mofokeng emphasized the importance of acknowledging the acute mental distress that could lead to anxiety and other mental illnesses in the future.
UNICEF estimates that 17,000 children in Gaza are either unaccompanied or separated from their families due to the conflict, with nearly all children in the area needing mental health support. The ongoing conflict, which began after an attack by Hamas fighters on Israel, has had devastating effects on the healthcare system in Gaza, with hospitals being destroyed and health workers being killed or injured.
The Israeli assault on Gaza has led to widespread destruction of medical facilities, including the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip. Mofokeng expressed deep concerns about the lack of medical supplies, reproductive health services, and mental health support in the region. The conditions in Gaza are dire and pose significant challenges to achieving the highest standard of physical and mental health for the residents of the enclave.
