Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex reveals the spread of respiratory viruses devastating Palestinians

The director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, revealed on Monday the spread of respiratory viruses devastating Palestinians; due to the collapse of immunity caused by Israeli starvation, coupled with a severe shortage in the health system.

Sources quoted Abu Salmiya as saying that there is "a spread of respiratory viruses, likely mutated strains of influenza or coronavirus." He added that these are devastating the population due to the complete collapse of the immune system resulting from famine and malnutrition.

He described the conditions in the Gaza Strip as "tragic and bleak"; due to the combined "effects of the war of extermination and the spread of epidemics among displaced populations."

The Gaza Strip has been suffering from a catastrophic health situation since the occupation state began a two-year genocide war in October 2023, which resulted in widespread destruction of hospitals and health facilities, and a severe shortage of medicines and medical equipment.

A large part of Gaza's population suffers from malnutrition and famine due to food insecurity and high poverty rates, leading to weakened immunity and increased susceptibility to infections and epidemics compared to populations in normal circumstances.

Abu Salmiya stressed that "the health system faces a severe deficit due to the restrictions imposed by the occupation, which prevent the entry of medicines, medical supplies, and necessary devices for examination and diagnosis."

He pointed out the death of 4 children due to the bitter cold since the beginning of winter, in the absence of heating means inside the displaced persons' tents.

He said that "the pressure on hospitals has exceeded capacity, with bed occupancy rates reaching 150 percent, and the annual vaccinations for vulnerable groups are still unavailable."

He warned that the continued overcrowding in shelters, with the absence of urgent medical intervention, "will exacerbate the disaster and increase the number of deaths due to diseases and harsh weather conditions."

The occupation state imposes restrictions on the entry of medicines, medical supplies, and examination and diagnostic equipment into the Gaza Strip, which hinders the provision of basic healthcare and affects the ability of hospitals to deal with infectious and emergency diseases.

According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, the deficit in medicine lists reached 52 percent, while in medical consumables lists it reached about 71 percent.

The ministry previously stated that Israel reduced the entry of medical trucks into the Gaza Strip to less than 30 percent of the monthly need, which resulted in a severe crisis in the availability of medicines and medical supplies.

The Israeli extermination in Gaza has left more than 71,000 martyrs and over 171,000 injured Palestinians, and massive destruction affecting 90 percent of civilian infrastructure at a reconstruction cost estimated by the United Nations at about 70 billion dollars.