FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2024

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MedGlobal Urges Ceasefire or Humanitarian Pause in Gaza to Allow Urgent Polio Vaccination Campaign

MedGlobal President, Leaders and Staff on the Ground Available for Interviews

CHICAGO – Following the first recorded case of polio in Gaza on Friday, MedGlobal, a leading international humanitarian aid organization that operates a dozen healthcare clinics across Gaza and is expected to participate in the W.H.O vaccination campaign, is joining the call for a humanitarian pause to enable two critical rounds of polio vaccinations for children.

MedGlobal’s President and Co-Founder Dr. Zaher Sahloul released the following statement:

“The detection of polio virus in the sewage system in Gaza is another indication of the collapse of the healthcare system and lack of sanitation. The frequent displacement of the majority of the population adds to the catastrophic humanitarian situation. MedGlobal’s 16 primary health clinics and 3 malnutrition centers run by local staff struggle to provide proper healthcare, education, sanitary kits, and medication to the traumatized populations due to persistent shortage and frequent evacuations.”

“In these conditions, completing a successful polio vaccination campaign is quite challenging. The safe transport of vaccines in cold temperatures and the availability of fuel and communication networks are all essential for the success of the campaign to vaccinate nearly 650,000 children under ten years of age. A ceasefire, or at the very least a humanitarian pause, is urgently needed to give this urgent polio vaccination campaign a fighting chance.”

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MedGlobal is a humanitarian aid nonprofit organization that provides emergency response and health programs to build resilience among vulnerable communities around the world.