Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, shared a post on Facebook:
“The escalating conflict in the Middle East, and the impact on public health, are of great concern.
Damage to petroleum facilities in Iran risks contaminating food, water and air – hazards that can have severe health impacts especially on children, older people, and people with pre existing medical conditions.
Rain laden with oil has been reported falling in parts of the country.
In Lebanon, nine health workers have been killed since 28 February and 16 injured. Additionally, 43 primary health care centres and 5 hospitals have closed due to evacuation orders.
WHO is monitoring the situation in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and all affected countries closely and supporting local authorities to keep health systems running, protect communities, and reduce health risks.
I urge all parties to de-escalate and prevent further risks to people’s health, impacts on health facilities and workers, a further expansion of the conflict across the region.
Peace is always the best medicine.”
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