UNITED NATIONS, April 8: The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Friday that Palestinian public health system faces a rapid decline to possible collapse, with limited or no access to preventive and curative services for nearly half the population, particularly the poor, in the event of a cut-off in donations and an Israeli suspension of tax transfers.

Analysing the consequences of a funds cut-off after the election victory of Hamas, the World Health Organisation said the public health system would suffer acute financial crisis.

Salaries would not be paid to some staff, medicines and equipment would be in short supply and the health ministry would be paralysed or become less capable of carrying out policy, regulatory and coordination-related functions, the agency warned.

Control and management of the public health system will shift away from the public sector to NGOs, United Nations agencies system and the private sector under the scenario developed by the WHO.