Thousands of Palestinian lives are under threat due to Israel blocking medicine into the enclave [Getty]
Gaza’s health ministry warned on Sunday that worsening shortages of medicines and medical supplies are threatening the lives of thousands of patients due to Israel’s continued siege on the enclave, amid mounting pressure on hospitals already operating under severe strain.
In a statement, the ministry said the “dangerous deterioration” in stocks of medicines and medical consumables was creating an escalating health crisis, particularly for patients suffering from chronic illnesses and critical conditions.
The ministry warned that hospitals and medical centres were increasingly unable to provide essential treatment, especially for kidney failure patients, diabetics, haemophilia patients and children dependent on dialysis treatment.
It said around 250 kidney failure patients could be deprived of dialysis sessions in the coming days because of a shortage of Bibag solution, an essential supply used in dialysis procedures.
The ministry warned that any halt in treatment could lead to “serious health complications” directly threatening patients’ lives.
It also said eight children suffering from kidney failure face the risk of having dialysis treatment suspended because of a shortage of specialised filters needed to operate dialysis machines.
The ministry added that the lack of insulin injections was worsening conditions for around 11,000 diabetes patients in Gaza, warning it could cause serious complications, particularly among elderly people, children and patients dependent on daily insulin doses.
Meanwhile, it said 110 haemophilia patients were now without “VACTOR” treatment, leaving them vulnerable to worsening complications and daily pain due to uncontrolled bleeding associated with the condition.
The ministry warned that continued shortages of medicines and medical supplies were increasing pressure on healthcare workers and facilities operating under “extremely difficult conditions”.
It called on international organisations, humanitarian agencies and other relevant bodies to intervene urgently to replenish medicine stocks and provide essential medical supplies before the health situation “spirals out of control”.
“The health sector in Gaza is passing through a critical stage requiring an urgent and rapid response,” the ministry said, warning of the potential collapse of treatment services for thousands of patients and wounded people in the enclave.
Gaza’s healthcare system has faced repeated warnings of collapse during the war, with hospitals suffering extensive damage and severe shortages of fuel, medicines and medical equipment amid ongoing Israeli restrictions and military assaults.
