Medical evacuation of patients from the Gaza Strip

Severely ill or injured patients needing lifesaving, specialized care not available in the Gaza Strip can be medically evacuated abroad. The medical evacuation process is coordinated by the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Patients needing urgent and specialized care not available in Gaza are eligible for medical evacuation. Clinical prioritization of patients is decided by the MoH Referral Committee in the following order:

1. Emergency cases
2. Urgent cases
3. Chronic conditions with complications
4. Chronic conditions without complications

Only a treating doctor or medical specialist at an MoH hospital can refer a patient to the MoH Referral Committee for approval for treatment abroad. The MoH is the sole authority responsible for issuing medical referral forms, approving and prioritizing patients according to standardized clinical protocols.

The medical evacuation process is led by MoH with support from WHO. The safe transfer of patients and their companions to medical evacuation collection points within the Gaza Strip, and their movement outside the Strip, is carried out by WHO in coordination with the relevant Palestinian and Israeli authorities.

The process prior to medical evacuation consists of the following steps:

1. A medical doctor or specialist working for the Ministry of Health (MoH) examines the patient and if needed, issues a referral form for treatment abroad.
2. Patient submits the medical referral form through the patient services desk at the treating MoH hospital.
3. The hospital sends the referral form to the MoH Referral Committee.
4. The MoH Referral Committee reviews the case, decides the priority and approves the case for medical evacuation.
5. The approved patients list is shared with WHO by the MoH.
6. WHO contacts patients to ensure that their medical information and documentation is complete.
7. WHO submits patient lists to countries that may be open to receiving patients.
8. Once patients are approved, WHO shares a list of their companions with host countries for approval.
9. The list of patients and their companions, approved for medical evacuation by host countries, is sent to the Israeli authorities for security clearance.
10. Following security clearance, patients are contacted by WHO to facilitate their medical evacuation in coordination with the host country.

For medical evacuation approval is required from:

1. The Ministry of Health Referral Committee.
2. The host country who will be providing medical care.
3. Israeli authorities, in particular Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) for patient's exit and transit permissions.
4. Egyptian or Jordanian authorities (if evacuation is to these countries or includes transit through these countries).

No. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.

Yes. If parents cannot travel, a first or second degree relative may accompany the child with written parental/ guardian consent.

No. The referral form initiates the medical evacuation process but does not guarantee evacuation out of Gaza. Medical referral by an MoH doctor is only the first step. Clearance for medical evacuation also depends on availability of treatment within Gaza, approval by the MoH Referral Committee, approval by host countries, security clearances by Israeli authorities, and border accessibility.

There is no fixed timeframe. Approval depends on case complexity, completion of documentation, coordination among concerned authorities, and security conditions.

No. All patients are assessed fairly by the MoH Referral Committee based on set criteria focusing on the severity of each case.

Patients can check the "Sehhaty" app to see whether the MoH Referral Committee has approved their evacuation request. Further updates are provided once the patient has been selected by the host country and received security clearance from the Israeli authorities. Due to the heavy caseload, families are requested to refrain from contacting the MoH or WHO for status inquiries. Once approved for medical evacuation, WHO will contact patients to inform them of their approval and treatment option.

Host countries normally allow one adult companion plus 2-3 children, however, this varies between countries.

No. Companion numbers strictly follow the host country's criteria. No payments are accepted or requested by any party.

Yes. WHO re-confirms patient and companion details a few days before the medical evacuation. Modifications to companion details can be made, provided they meet host country criteria and are granted security clearance.

Yes. WHO ensures the provision of assistive devices and appropriate medical care along the transfer route out of the Gaza Strip, up to the point where host countries assume responsibility. Host countries then provide specialized care and suitable housing for patients with disabilities or special needs.

Yes. Mental health and psychosocial services are provided by host countries for patients and companions.

Medical evacuation is free of charge. No fee is charged by MoH, WHO, any UN body or any entity throughout the whole process. Beware of fraud. Do not pay anyone claiming to represent MoH, WHO, any other UN organization or entity to register or prioritize a patient, change or add a companion, or speed up a patient's evacuation process.

The host country covers costs related to the treatment and essential needs of patients and companions. Countries agreeing to receive patients must:

• Provide official acceptance letters.
• Ensure temporary residency and rights for patients and companions to return.
• Cover all medical care costs, including mental health support.
• Assist with housing and essential living needs during the treatment for patinet and their companions.

The medical evacuation process takes place with the understanding by all parties and authorities, including the patients and their companions, that they can return to the Gaza Strip upon completion of their medical treatment. This is clearly stated in the Ministry of Health's consent form, which patients sign before departure.

Once patients and their companions reach the host country, they are under the care of the host government and the duration of their stay depends on the time required for medical care and recovery. WHO is not involved in the return of patients from the host countries to the Gaza Strip..

Given the limited availability of health services due to the destruction of the health system in Gaza, it is crucial that health facilities are protected and that WHO and partners are provided with all needed approvals and facilitations to support hospitals and health facilities with lifesaving fuel, medical supplies, and other health aid. Returning patients and patients who remain inside Gaza must be able to access care and treatment that they need.

WHO's role includes:

• Communicating with patients to collect the necessary medical records and ensure documentation is complete.
• Arranging the medical and logistical components for the safe transport of patients.
• Obtaining security clearances and coordinating with host countries.
• Sharing the list of patients offered treatment and approved for medical evacuation by host countries to Israeli authorities for security clearance.
• Managing patient transfer from north to south Gaza, including overnight stay and medical care at collection points and ensuring safe transit outside the Gaza Strip
• Advocacy to increase the options for medical evacuation, including with receiving countries

No. WHO, any other UN organization or any other entity does not select, prioritize or approve patients and companions for medical evacuation. This is solely the responsibility of MoH. WHO strictly follows the approved patient list and case prioritization provided by the MOH.

No. WHO's role is limited to facilitating medical evacuation only.

Most host countries accept national IDs and birth certificates. WHO coordinates with relevant authorities to facilitate travel in compliance with these requirements.

WHO continues to advocate for increased evacuations, but expansion depends on host countries accepting more patients, and ongoing logistical and security challenges to ensure safe movement of patients. WHO has put in place the necessary logistical arrangements to increase the number of medical evacuations should there be an increase in offers from receiving countries. WHO is also consistently advocating for increased medical evacuation corridors, including the restoration of medical referral pathways to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

• Restoration of the medical corridor to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is needed. This is the most cost-effective medical evacuation route.
• More receiving country offers to accept patients are needed as long as that corridor is not restored.
• Need for increased use of corridors for medical evacuation through Egypt and Jordan.
• Security conditions and logistical barriers such as shortage of fuel.
• Border crossing closures, and limited exit capacity per day.