Gaza Herald – The director of Medical Relief in Gaza, Dr. Mohammed Abu Afesh, warns of a catastrophic new breakdown in the health system as Israel continues to block the entry of essential medicines, including treatments for chronic illnesses, pediatric care, prenatal care, blood products, lab solutions, imaging equipment parts, and critical medical supplies.
Thousands of wounded and sick Palestinians are now waiting to be evacuated for treatment they can no longer receive inside Gaza.
According to Dr. Abu Afesh, 41% of kidney patients have already died due to the collapse of medical care and the total absence of necessary medication.
He warns that the continued closure of crossings will intensify sickness and exhaustion, especially with winter bringing viral outbreaks, rising malnutrition, and widespread anemia among children and women. Patients with diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are deteriorating rapidly with no access to their medicines.
Medical teams have also recorded over 4,000 cases of eye-related conditions, including patients who have already lost their vision due to worsening untreated illnesses, especially those with chronic diseases like diabetes.
