Gaza Herald – Gaza’s Ministry of Health said Monday that hospitals and medical centers recorded unprecedented patient volumes during the first half of 2026, warning that the healthcare system is operating beyond its intended capacity while continuing to provide essential medical services.
According to the ministry, emergency departments treated 997,844 patients, while outpatient clinics recorded 826,060 visits. During the same period, 111,378 patients were admitted to hospital wards despite facilities already exceeding their designed capacity.
Medical teams performed 57,112 emergency and complex surgeries, in addition to 760 life-saving cardiac catheterization procedures. Hospitals also supplied 32,186 units of blood to support emergency operations and treat patients suffering from severe bleeding.
The ministry said healthcare workers conducted 47,629 dialysis sessions for 3,912 kidney failure patients, while mental health clinics received 45,000 patients and rehabilitation centers provided 73,000 physical therapy sessions.
The update comes as health officials and United Nations agencies continue to warn of the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system. According to the ministry, 26 of Gaza’s 38 hospitals remain out of service, while shortages have reached more than 50% of essential medicines, 70% of medical supplies, and over 87% of laboratory testing materials, placing thousands of patients at increasing risk.
