Gaza Herald – The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza warned on Monday that medicines for cancer and blood disorders now top the list of drug shortages, with a deficit of 61%, placing the lives of thousands of patients at immediate risk as life-saving treatment protocols are disrupted.
In a statement, the ministry said the overall shortage of essential medicines has reached 47%, while shortages of medical consumables have climbed to 58%. Laboratory testing supplies have been hit even harder, with an 85% shortage, raising concerns over the near-total disruption of critical diagnostic and treatment services.
The ministry also reported severe shortages across other essential healthcare sectors, including, Cancer and blood disease medicines: 61%, Maternal and child health medicines: 56%, Primary healthcare medicines: 55%, Kidney and dialysis medicines: 46%, Mental health and neurological medicines: 35%, Emergency and intensive care medicines: 33%, Surgical supplies: 39%, and Orthopedic supplies: 47%
Health officials warned that the critical lack of laboratory testing materials is directly affecting doctors’ ability to save lives.
Among the most urgently needed supplies are those required for Complete Blood Count (CBC) tests, blood gas analysis, and clinical chemistry tests, all of which are routinely used to assess critically ill patients and the wounded in intensive care units and operating rooms.
The ministry renewed its appeal to international, UN, and humanitarian organizations to intervene immediately by facilitating the entry of medicines, medical consumables, and laboratory supplies into Gaza, warning that delays will further deepen the humanitarian and healthcare crisis.
