Latest news with #AkihiroSeita
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Call to protect health workers, facilities in armed conflict at QF's WISH panel session at Osaka Expo
Tribune News Network Osaka, Japan Leading voices in global healthcare have spotlighted the escalating attacks on health amid armed conflict around the world at the Osaka Expo, during a panel session hosted by Qatar Foundation's World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH). Held at the event's Qatar Pavilion, the panel, titled 'Protecting Health in Armed Conflict', brought together representatives from Médecins Sans Frontières, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNRWA, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) – Qatar Foundation's (QF) global healthcare initiative. The panel built on WISH's ongoing efforts to raise global awareness of attacks on health, following a recent official side event at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva and the release of a joint report on the issue by WISH and WHO. The discussion at the Osaka Expo is part of a broader WISH strategy to foster a coalition of organisations and experts committed to protecting health workers and facilities in conflict zones. Speaking during the panel, Dr. Slim Slama, CEO of WISH, said: 'An attack on healthcare facility is an attack on the very foundation of humanity. Each strike not only destroys hospitals and endangers health workers, but also robs entire communities of safety, dignity, and hope. Protecting medical care in conflict is a legal and moral obligation – when we fail to act, we allow suffering to multiply and justice to fade.' Other panellists alongside Dr. Slama included Chika Suefuji, advocacy director, Médecins Sans Frontières; Dr. Rick Brennan, former WHO EMRO Regional Emergency director; Dr. Akihiro Seita, medical director, UNRWA, and Hitomi Makabe, head of Communications, International Committee of the Red discussion was moderated by Dr. Sunoor Verma, director of Partnerships and Outreach, WISH. Dr. Akihiro Seita emphasised the importance of safeguarding healthcare workers and facilities in conflict zones. 'As a Japanese physician working with UNRWA in Gaza, I have witnessed health workers serve amid unimaginable danger. Their courage is a daily reminder that protecting healthcare is not only about medicine – it is about defending dignity, humanity, and hope. From Gaza to Osaka, we are united by a shared responsibility to stand against the erosion of these values.' Speaking about the purpose of the WISH-led Osaka Expo session, Dr. Slama said, 'Today's panel under the roof of Qatar Pavilion is a critical step in uniting the global health and humanitarian community to advocate for the protection of health in times of war. We call on all stakeholders to join this coalition and uphold international humanitarian law.'
LBCI
20-05-2025
- Health
- LBCI
Malnutrition in Gaza could rise exponentially, UNRWA official says
Malnutrition rates in Gaza have risen during a more than 11-week Israeli blockade and could rise exponentially if food shortages continue, a health official at the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said on Tuesday. "I have data until end of April and it shows malnutrition on the rise," Akihiro Seita, UNRWA Director of Health, told a Geneva press briefing. "And then the worry is that if the current food shortage continues, it will exponentially increase, and then get beyond our control." Israel cleared nine trucks of aid on Monday to enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing although aid workers said just five entered. Reuters
Asharq Al-Awsat
20-05-2025
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
UNRWA Official: Malnutrition in Gaza Could Rise Exponentially
Malnutrition rates in Gaza have risen during a more than 11-week Israeli blockade and could rise exponentially if food shortages continue, a health official at the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said on Tuesday. "I have data until end of April and it shows malnutrition on the rise," Akihiro Seita, UNRWA Director of Health, told a Geneva press briefing. "And then the worry is that if the current food shortage continues, it will exponentially increase, and then get beyond our control." Israel cleared nine trucks of aid on Monday to enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing although aid workers said just five entered. Some 600 trucks a day had entered during a ceasefire earlier this year.
AsiaOne
20-05-2025
- Health
- AsiaOne
Malnutrition in Gaza could rise exponentially, UNRWA official says, World News
GENEVA — Malnutrition rates in Gaza have risen during a more than 11-week Israeli blockade and could rise exponentially if food shortages continue, a health official at the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said on Tuesday (May 20). "I have data until end of April and it shows malnutrition on the rise," Akihiro Seita, UNRWA Director of Health, told a Geneva press briefing. "And then the worry is that if the current food shortage continues, it will exponentially increase, and then get beyond our control." Israel cleared nine trucks of aid on Monday to enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing although aid workers said just five entered. [[nid:718179]]
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Malnutrition in Gaza could rise exponentially, UNRWA official says
GENEVA (Reuters) -Malnutrition rates in Gaza have risen during a more than 11-week Israeli blockade and could rise exponentially if food shortages continue, a health official at the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said on Tuesday. "I have data until end of April and it shows malnutrition on the rise," Akihiro Seita, UNRWA Director of Health, told a Geneva press briefing. "And then the worry is that if the current food shortage continues, it will exponentially increase, and then get beyond our control." Israel cleared nine trucks of aid on Monday to enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing although aid workers said just five entered.
