Essential Medical Services at Risk as More Than 50 Percent Supplies Depleted in Gaza

Author: Dian Kencana
August 26, 2024

Gaza's health ministry stated that around 60 percent of essential medicines and 83 percent of medical supplies in Gaza have run out due to the ongoing war and Israeli border controls and closures. (ANTARA)

SEAToday.com, Gaza - Around 60% of essential medicines and 83% of medical supplies have been depleted in Gaza as the conflict rages along with Israel’s continued closure of the borders into the enclave, says the Health Ministry on Saturday (8/24).
The Ministry warned in a statement of the unprecedented crisis in medicines and medical supplies, and condemned the severe impact on the lives of patients and the injured.

“Hospitals and health centers are facing a very acute shortage of medicines and medical supplies,” said the statement.

This resource shortage could “result in a complete shutdown of critical medical services, including emergency care, surgery, intensive care, dialysis, primary health care, and mental health services,” the statement warned.

The statement called on international and UN-affiliated organizations to “intervene immediately and provide the necessary medicines and medical supplies.”

Since the outbreak of war on October 7, Israel has cut off electricity supplies to Gaza, halting shipments of fuel needed to operate the territory's only power plant, as well as halting supplies of water, communications, food, and medical aid, while also closing the border.

Currently, only a limited amount of medical supplies and international aid enter Gaza through Israel, which is far from enough to meet the needs of a population struggling with dire humanitarian and health conditions.

Israel has continuously launched an operation in the Gaza Strip since the start of the operation following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

The offensive has led to more than 40,300 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and more than 93,300 injuries, according to local health authorities.

The ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, and left much of the territory in a state of ruin.