DaysofPal- The Palestinian Ministry of Health has warned that the lives of thousands of patients, including more than 4,000 cancer patients, are at serious risk due to a critical shortage of medicines and medical supplies due to the suffocating Israeli siege on Gaza.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry said that 726 types of medications and medical consumables have completely run out in its central warehouses.
It added that essential drugs, including life-saving treatments and cancer medications, as well as emergency stock, are facing acute shortages.
The ministry attributed the worsening crisis to the continued withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues by Israeli authorities.
These funds, which account for around 68 percent of government income, have not been transferred for more than 15 months, severely limiting the government’s ability to pay pharmaceutical suppliers and maintain regular imports.
According to the statement, approximately 180 essential medicines out of a total of 520 are no longer available.
In addition, 50 out of 97 cancer treatment drugs have reached zero stock levels.
The shortage also extends to laboratory materials and specialized medical consumables, with 79 lab items and 265 medical supplies depleted.
Officials warned that the crisis poses a direct threat to cancer patients, as well as individuals requiring dialysis, chronic disease treatment, and specialized medical care.
The ministry noted that the lack of funding has disrupted the availability of critical supplies, including dialysis filters, surgical sutures, cardiac catheters, and stents.
As a result, more than 11,000 scheduled surgeries have been postponed due to shortages and reduced operational capacity in public hospitals.
The ministry called on the international community, as well as UN and humanitarian organizations, to urgently intervene by securing the release of these funds and providing emergency support to the healthcare sector.
It also appealed to donors to supply life-saving medications worth $50 million and support essential drugs and medical consumables to ensure the continuity of healthcare services.
The ministry warned of serious consequences for thousands of patients, particularly those suffering from cancer, kidney failure, chronic illnesses, and critical conditions, if urgent action is not taken.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=75102
