DaysofPal- The Palestinian Ministry of Health warned on Sunday that 4,000 glaucoma patients in the Gaza Strip are at imminent risk of losing their eyesight due to a critical shortage of medication and the limited capacity for surgical intervention.
In a statement, the ministry said it is facing severe challenges that are hindering its ability to continue providing specialized eye care in Gaza. The shortage of essential ophthalmic medications, it noted, has intensified both acute and chronic suffering among patients.
The ministry added that damage to diagnostic and surgical equipment has further complicated the performance of eye surgeries, leading to longer delays and growing waiting lists. Current drug stocks for eye-care services, it said, are extremely limited and fall far short of urgent needs.
The Ministry of Health called on all relevant bodies to intervene immediately to supply critical diagnostic equipment and specialized medications for eye patients.
The warning comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that only 50% of Gaza’s 36 hospitals and health centers are partially functional. Progress in restoring these facilities remains slow.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said that 26 health facilities have reopened, including four hospitals and six primary care centers, adding that the organization continues to work with the Palestinian Ministry of Health to support the reopening of clinics and hospitals.
Jasarevic noted that the process of re-equipping health facilities with medical devices, supplies, medicines, and personnel remains “slow,” despite ongoing efforts.
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