WMA Resolution on the Critical Deterioration of the Healthcare System in the West Bank
Adopted by the 77th WMA General Assembly, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, October 2026,
PREAMBLE
The World Medical Association (WMA) reaffirms its Declaration on the Protection and Integrity of Medical Personnel in Armed Conflicts and Other Situations of Violence and its commitment to safeguarding healthcare workers, patients, and medical facilities in all circumstances;
It expresses grave concern regarding the severe deterioration of the healthcare system in the West Bank, which is threatening the ability to provide essential healthcare services to the population;
It further notes severe shortages of essential medicines, medical equipment, and supplies, alongside increasing challenges faced by healthcare institutions in maintaining routine and emergency services;
The WMA recognises that the financial crisis affecting the Palestinian Authority has significantly impacted the healthcare sector, including reductions in healthcare workers’ salaries and substantial constraints on the delivery of public health services, with many public hospitals increasingly limited to emergency care provision;
It further expresses concern regarding movement restrictions that severely disrupt access to specialised medical care, emergency services, and the ability of healthcare professionals to reach their workplaces;
The WMA emphasises that uninterrupted access to healthcare and the protection of medical personnel are fundamental obligations and essential to preserving human life and dignity.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The World Medical Association:
- Calls upon all relevant authorities to ensure the immediate protection and continuity of healthcare services and uphold the right of all people in the West Bank to access timely, safe, and appropriate healthcare without discrimination or unnecessary barriers.
- Calls for safe access for patients, healthcare professionals, ambulances, and essential medical supplies, and urges the removal of obstacles that prevent the effective delivery of healthcare services.
- Urges the Israeli authorities to ensure that mechanisms are in place to prevent financial disruptions from undermining essential health services, including facilitating the transfer of Palestinian tax revenues allocated for public services, particularly healthcare.
- Calls upon the international community and humanitarian organisations to provide urgent support to sustain healthcare services, including essential medicines, medical supplies, and support for healthcare workers.