“[...] the lack of clean water makes it difficult to sterilize medical equipment and the unreliable electricity supply negatively affects sensitive medical equipment. About 50 percent of the medical equipment is not functioning for various reasons, including the inability to obtain spare parts for or adequately maintain the equipment.”264 The World Health Organization (WHO) wrote in a report about the social determinants of health that: “[...] [w]hilemedical care can prolong survival and improve prognosis after some serious diseases, more important for the health of the population as a whole are the social and economic conditions that make people ill and in need of medical care in the first place.”265 This message is echoed in the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Right’s general comment No. 14 that states that the facilities of public health, goods and services should include: “[...] the underlying determinants of health, such as safe and potable drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities, hospitals, clinics and other health-related buildings, trained medical and professional personnel receiving domestically competitive salaries, and essential drugs, as defined by the WHO Action Programme on Essential Drugs.”266 However, because of the permit regime installed by the Israeli authorities, the Palestinian Authority itself admits that it is unable to ensure these underlying health determinants.267 The main concern remains the permit regime itself, as it should not be necessary to receive health permits in the first place. Because of the permit regime, Palestinians must carry an Israeli-issued identity card, a hospital appointment document, referral documents from the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the actual medical permit, just to see a doctor on the other side of 264 Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, “Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967”, United Nations, 25 September 2015, page 9. Available at: http://www. humanrightsvoices.org/assets/attachments/documents/9.25.2015.report.special.rapp.palestinian. territories.pdf 265 WHO Europe, “Social Determinants of Health”, 2003, 2nd edition, page 7. Available at: http://www. euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/98438/e81384.pdf 266 UN Economic and Social Council, “General Comment No. 14: The Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health (Art. 12) of the Covenant)”, United Nations, 11 August 2000, page 4. Available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4538838d0.html 267 Palestinian National Authority Ministry of Health, “Palestinian National Health Strategy 2011 – 2013: Setting Direction – Getting Results”, 2010, page 9. Available at: http://www.lacs.ps/documentsShow. aspx?ATT_ID=4764 70