Gaza Health Ministry Launches Distress Call: Medical System Enters Catastrophic Phase, Drug Shortage Exceeds 50%

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip issued a strong warning on the occasion of World Health Day, confirming that the health system has reached a stage described as "catastrophic." The ministry explained that this deterioration is a result of the systematic and continuous Israeli targeting of hospitals and medical facilities, making access to treatment a daily battle for survival.

Official data released by the ministry revealed shocking figures regarding drug shortages, with the deficit in essential medicines exceeding 50%. Medical consumables also recorded a deficit of 57%, while the shortage of laboratory testing materials reached about 71%, paralyzing the ability of laboratories to diagnose medical conditions.

Oncology services are the most affected by this medical blockade, with 4,100 cancer patients in the Strip facing a real danger due to a 61% shortage of specialized medicines. Primary care, neurology, kidney, surgery, and intensive care departments also suffer from a severe shortage of essential medicines exceeding 40%, threatening the lives of thousands of patients with chronic conditions.

Regarding complex surgical operations, the ministry announced the complete cessation of open-heart and cardiac catheterization operations due to the depletion of necessary resources and equipment. Reports also indicated a severe shortage of eye surgery supplies, reaching 89%, which caused the postponement of hundreds of essential operations to save patients' eyesight.

In terms of medical infrastructure, 22 out of 38 hospitals are completely out of service, in addition to the closure of 90 health centers due to direct damage. This destruction has led to a more than 55% reduction in hospital bed capacity, at a time when the number of wounded and injured due to the ongoing aggression is increasing.

Medical sources warned that the severe shortage of fuel, oils, and spare parts for generators threatens to halt the remaining health services at any moment. The sources explained that only 108 dialysis machines are currently operating to serve 676 patients, a number insufficient to meet the growing needs under the current circumstances.

Regarding human resources, the ministry confirmed the continued detention of 83 medical personnel by the occupation forces since October 2023, exacerbating the crisis of specialized expertise shortages. The remaining medical teams face immense pressure to work in harsh conditions with almost no resources to provide the minimum level of healthcare.

As for medical referrals, the waiting lists for travel abroad for treatment reached 21,367 patients and injured individuals, including 195 cases in very critical health conditions. The ministry recorded the deaths of 1,517 patients while awaiting their turn to travel, despite the very limited opening of the Rafah crossing, allowing no more than 50 people per day.

Despite ceasefire agreements, the occupation authorities continue to prevent the entry of agreed-upon quantities of humanitarian and medical aid into the Strip. This intransigence directly affects 1.5 million displaced people living in deteriorating health and environmental conditions, contributing to the spread of diseases and epidemics among the population.

It is worth noting that the Israeli aggression since October 7, 2023, has resulted in a heavy toll of over 72,000 martyrs and 172,000 injured. The continuous bombing has also destroyed 90% of civilian infrastructure, making the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the health sector a tremendous challenge requiring urgent international intervention.

The right to treatment has become a daily battle for survival, where the most vulnerable groups are deprived of the most basic forms of healthcare, and surgeries are performed under extremely harsh conditions.