MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 17,
2024 /CNW/ - On Saturday April
20th, doctors and healthcare professionals from across the
country wearing white coats, scrubs and stethoscopes, will be lying
down on Parliament Hill, simulating death, to denounce the
disastrous healthcare situation in Gaza.
Two weeks ago, Israel finally
retreated from Al-Shifa Hospital, leaving the largest hospital in
Gaza in ruins. At least 400
Palestinians were killed - a number that does not include bodies
buried - and 900 wounded during the two-week raid. Witnesses
describe many bodies to be found decomposing, crushed, and
disfigured to the point they could not be identified. Echoing the
statements made by UN experts, we affirm that the targeting of
healthcare systems is an act of genocide, with catastrophic
consequences in an occupied territory where over 2 million are
displaced and being starved.
As of April 6th, WHO announced
that only 10 out of 36 hospitals were partially functioning in
Gaza, with severe limitations on
the types of services they can deliver. This situation is
exacerbated by the fact that since October
7th, Israeli forces have blocked the entry of essential
medical supplies, fuel and other necessities,
targeted ambulances, and killed and kidnapped healthcare
staff.
Additionally, the Israeli military has conducted 804 attacks on
healthcare in Gaza, and killed at
least 484 healthcare workers. Destruction of the healthcare system
is not only depriving wounded and suffering Palestinians from
accessing care, but also "undermining the prospect of a future
Palestinian healthcare system in Gaza, destroying its capacity to rebuild and
to care effectively for the Palestinian people in Gaza."
As healthcare professionals, we are uniting to stand up for
Gaza to demand an immediate,
unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as well as:
- An end to the ongoing targeted attacks on healthcare
infrastructure and personnel
- An end to the illegal blockade that is preventing the entry of
medical supplies, medication, and equipment
- Immediate access to drinkable water and unhindered entry of
food and humanitarian aid
WHEN: April 20th,
1PM
WHERE: Parliament Hill, Ottawa
About C4P: Canadians for Palestine is a grassroots
advocacy organization based in Canada. We are dedicated to raising awareness
and promoting the rights of the besieged Palestinian peoples of
Gaza, and all occupied Palestinian
territories.
SOURCE Canadians for Palestine