SEAToday.com, Istanbul - The World Health Organization (WHO) evacuated 97 patients and severely injured people from the Gaza Strip to receive medical treatment in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Director-General of WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday (Sep 11) in X provided details of the evacuation, which took place in Gaza - under intensive Israeli attack.

“WHO, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and partners, today evacuated 97 seriously ill and injured patients and 155 escorts from Gaza in the largest medical evacuation since October 2023,” he said in a statement.

“The patients were transferred via Kerem Shalom to Ramon Airport in Israel to continue their journey to Abu Dhabi for specialized care,” he said, adding.

Tedros explained that the patients included 45 children and 52 adults with various diseases, ranging from cancer, cardiovascular, congenital disorders, blood, liver to trauma or injury.

Despite facing severe operational challenges and security concerns, WHO and its partners ensured the transfer of patients, setting up receiving facilities at Gaza's European Hospital was safe.

“This very complicated operation was completed under very tight time pressure to bring all the patients,” Tedros said.

The special mission, he said, “was undertaken to ensure 8 patients and 12 escorts were transferred from Gaza City to Gaza European Hospital in time for evacuation, as well as to deliver fuel for the ongoing polio vaccination.”

While expressing gratitude to the UAE government for their cooperation, he said, “We urge that evacuation corridors be established through all possible routes.”

“ In the end, the best treatment for all patients is a ceasefire.”