Schnitzer J J, Roy S M
Pediatric Surgical Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Lancet. 1994 Jun 25;343(8913):1614-7. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(94)93063-5.
The Gaza Strip now has limited self-rule. Its people inherit a health-care system provided by four sectors--the Israeli government, the UN Relief and Works Agency, non-governmental organisations, and private facilities. They also inherit a legacy of health indices comparing unfavourably with those of Israel, huge numbers of refugees, a looming water crisis, civil unrest, and a health care expenditure bill (as a proportion of gross domestic product) that will be unsustainable. Four plans have been drawn up for health services in autonomous Gaza but none is exactly right.