Watan-The Gaza Strip is facing the worst health crisis in its history, as patients struggle daily to survive amid a critical shortage of essential medicines and medical supplies.
The crisis is worsening each day under the tight Israeli blockade and continued closure of border crossings, which has prevented the entry of medications, medical equipment, and humanitarian aid since March 2. Thousands of patients—especially the elderly, children, and pregnant women—are at severe risk, as medicine stocks dwindle across government and UNRWA health clinics.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health has warned that over 47% of essential medications are now completely unavailable, and medical supply shortages have reached 65%. Insulin, blood thinners, iron, and even basic surgical materials are either gone or critically low.
Patients Suffer as Gaza’s Medicine Stock Dwindles and Surgeries Are Canceled
Individual patients, like 64-year-old Mohammed al-Madhoun, who suffers from diabetes, hypertension, and nerve disease, describe going four months without medication, resulting in frequent fainting spells. Yasser Ahmed, 36, reports cardiac symptoms worsening without treatment, while pregnant women like Asmaa al-Maqousi cannot access vitamins crucial for fetal health—putting unborn children in grave danger.
Medical relief officials warn of a spike in deaths, miscarriages, and malnutrition, especially among children, due to the absence of vitamins and chronic disease treatments. Director of Palestinian Medical Relief in Gaza, Bassam Zaqout, stated that available stocks may only last two weeks, depending on the medication.
Zaqout explained:“Key drugs like pediatric insulin, blood thinners, and glandular treatments are gone. We’re seeing increased rates of skin diseases, post-burn complications, and severe psoriasis due to poor hygiene and untreated conditions.”
Zacharia Abu Qamar, Director of Pharmacy at the Ministry of Health in Gaza, added that 53% of all medications are now unavailable, and that surgical operations are being canceled due to 36% shortages in surgical drugs and 35% in essential items like gauze and IV fluids.
Gaza Faces Medical Collapse as Hospitals Shut Down and Aid Blocked
Abu Qamar warned:“One missing item can cancel an entire surgery. We’ve stopped all non-urgent procedures. Only critical cases are being treated now.”
The Ministry is urgently appealing to the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Red Cross to pressure Israel to open the crossings and allow immediate medical relief, warning of an impending humanitarian disaster if no action is taken in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, UNRWA has reported that 45% of medical supplies are depleted, with up to 25% expected to run out within six weeks. Essential drugs and blood products are nearing total depletion, while demands are increasing rapidly.
Since the war began on October 7, 2023, Israel has deliberately targeted Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, bombing hospitals and primary care clinics, leading to 80% of hospitals being shut down, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
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