DayofPal– Five cancer patients are dying daily in their homes due to the complete breakdown of medical care in the besieged Gaza Strip, said Dr. Mohammad Abu Selmiya, Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Dr. Abu Selmiya highlighted the severe shortage of medical resources, stating that hospitals are “losing many patients and injured people due to a critical shortage of blood units.”
He also noted that even clean water is lacking in dialysis units, further complicating care for chronically ill patients.
Last Thursday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced the suspension of intravenous chemotherapy and follow-up medical services for cancer patients.
The ministry said the evacuation of the European Hospital and the Gaza Cancer Center has worsened the already catastrophic situation.
According to the ministry, around 11,000 cancer patients in Gaza are now without access to proper treatment and medical care. Among them, 5,000 urgently require medical referrals abroad for diagnosis or chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The ministry further warned that the absence of early diagnostic and monitoring equipment is aggravating patients’ conditions. Currently, 64% of cancer medications are completely out of stock.
Gaza’s health authorities described the plight of cancer patients as “catastrophic,” with people trapped in a crisis marked by medical, psychological, and economic devastation.
The Ministry of Health called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to pressure Israel to allow the entry of essential medications and facilitate the travel of patients needing urgent treatment abroad.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=63457
