JERUSALEM, June 19, 2012 (WAFA) – While the Israeli authorities gave 849 out of 883 patients who requested permits to leave the Gaza Strip to get medical treatment elsewhere, five patients were denied permits and 29, including six children, were not able to attend treatment on time due to delays in getting permit, a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

In its monthly report on Gaza patients who needed permit to cross Beit Hanoun (Erez) checkpoint with Israel to seek treatment not available in Gaza hospitals, WHO said approval rate reached 96% in May, the highest ever.

Yet, it added, five patients were denied a permit for medical access, and 29 patients, including six children, had their medical care delayed since their permit request was not responded to in time for their hospital appointment.

The report said nine female and 10 male patients were called for interrogation by the Israeli General Security Services (GSS). Following their interrogation, seven patients were still waiting for a GSS response, eight were approved, three were asked to submit a new request, and one was denied.

WHO said of the total referral cases made by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 63% were destined for treatment in Palestinian hospitals in the occupied territories. The rest would go to hospitals in Israel, Jordan or abroad.

M.S.