JERUSALEM, August 2, 2018 (WAFA) – Out of 1921 applications for Israeli exit permit by Gazans to leave the besieged coastal enclave in June to get access to medical care in Jerusalem, West Bank or Israeli hospitals, 186 patient applications (119 male; 67 female), or 10% of the total, were denied permission and 527 patient applications (307 male; 220 female), or 28% of the total, were delayed access to care, the monthly report by the World Health Organization (WHO) on health access for Palestinians in the occupied territories said on Thursday.

It said that 1,208 (641 male; 567 female), or 62% of the total applications to cross Erez/Beit Hanoun crossing between Gaza and Israel in June were approved.

A third (35%) of those approved were children under age of 18 and more than a fifth (21%) were elderly people over 60 years of age.

Among those denied care, 14 were children under the age of 18 years and 15 patients aged 60 years or older. A third (29%) of those denied had appointments for orthopaedics, 11% for ophthalmology, and 10% for cancer treatment and investigation. 33 out of 186 denied applications were for patients injured during the Great March of Return border protests.

Of the delayed cases, 123 applications were for children under the age of 18 and 62 applications were for patients aged 60 years or older.

The report also said 25 adult patients (16 male; 9 female) were called for security interview by the Israeli General Security Services (GSS). Seven patients had been referred for cancer treatment or investigation, four for orthopaedics and three for blood disorders (haematology).

Two of the 25 applications were approved, two were denied and 21 remained pending during the month.

In addition, 49% patient companion applications were approved, 13% were denied and 38% remained pending by the date of the patient’s medical appointment, said the WHO monthly report.

M.K.