Gaza Faces Health Catastrophe: 1,500 Blinded and Thousands at Risk Amid Medical Supply Collapse
Israel’s Siege on Gaza Pushes Eye Care and Pediatric Services to the Brink as Hospitals Report Alarming Drug Shortages.
Watan-The disabilities caused by the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza go beyond amputations of limbs. According to the Ministry of Health, 1,500 people have lost their vision, while another 4,000 are at risk of going blind due to severe shortages of medicine and medical equipment.
Dr. Abdul Salam Sabah, director of the Eye Hospital in Gaza, warned that the health sector is facing a critical shortage of consumables and equipment needed for eye surgeries. This may lead to the near-total collapse of surgical services, especially those for retinal diseases, diabetic retinopathy, and internal bleeding.
Due to the lack of equipment, the Eye Hospital currently has only three worn-out surgical scissors, reused multiple times — greatly increasing the risks to patients and limiting the ability to save lives.
Gaza Hospitals Near Collapse Amid Medical Blockade and Child Health Crisis
Dr. Sabah added that many eye injuries caused by explosions require medical materials like helium and fine sutures, which are now nearly depleted. He warned, “The Eye Hospital is on the verge of declaring an inability to provide any surgical services unless immediate and urgent intervention comes from relevant authorities and international organizations.”
Meanwhile, the head of the pediatric department at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis described the situation for children in Gaza as “catastrophic,” noting that an entire generation is being targeted. He said the hospital is suffering from a severe shortage of medications and basic nutritional supplements for pregnant women.
Since March 2, Israeli authorities have imposed a strict blockade on Gaza, preventing the entry of all supplies, including food and medical items. This has dramatically worsened the humanitarian crisis, especially since even the limited medical aid allowed before the tightened blockade was already insufficient due to the overwhelming number of casualties from relentless Israeli airstrikes.
Ministry Warns: Patients Dying as Gaza’s Medicine Supplies Collapse
The Ministry of Health has previously reported the depletion of over 37% of essential medicines and 59% of medical consumables, with other items expected to run out soon — exacerbating the already critical shortages due to the prolonged siege.
Last month, the ministry confirmed the escalating health crisis, saying hundreds of patients and wounded are suffering due to the lack of medicine, made worse by the continued closure of border crossings. Hospitals are currently operating on extremely limited stocks of drugs and supplies.
The ministry also stressed that the shortage is hindering emergency responses, and that cancer, kidney failure, and heart disease patients are the most severely affected. It warned, “People are dying because of the lack of medicine and equipment.”
