Gaza Health Ministry Warns of Severe Medicine Shortages Across Hospitals

Gaza Health Ministry Warns of Severe Medicine Shortages Across Hospitals
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Gaza’s Health Ministry has warned of an acute decline in medicine and medical supply stocks across hospitals in the Palestinian enclave, saying the shortages threaten essential health services, Anadolu Agency reported. The warning was issued during a press conference at Al-Shifa Hospital in western Gaza City, where officials detailed what they described as a critical depletion of pharmaceutical, medical, and laboratory supplies.

According to the ministry, medicine shortages have reached 52%, while medical supply shortages stand at 71%, placing the health system under what it called unprecedented strain after two years of conflict and prolonged restrictions. The ministry said that 321 essential medicines are now completely unavailable in central warehouses. Shortages affecting emergency and intensive care units have reached 38%, potentially limiting access to emergency treatment for around 200,000 patients, surgical care for 100,000 others, and intensive care for approximately 700 patients.

Kidney care services have also been severely affected, with the ministry reporting that 650 dialysis patients are currently unable to receive treatment, despite the need for more than 7,800 dialysis sessions each month. In oncology departments, a 70% shortage of cancer medications has left around 1,000 patients without treatment, with officials saying several deaths have already occurred as a result.

Primary healthcare has been similarly impacted, with 62% of basic medicines unavailable and remaining supplies insufficient for more than 288,000 patients. The ministry warned that the lack of diagnostic and therapeutic options increases the risk of serious complications, including heart attacks and strokes.

Specialised services have been curtailed, with cardiac catheterisation and open-heart surgeries halted entirely due to a lack of required supplies, except for limited life-saving cases. Nearly all scheduled orthopaedic surgeries have been suspended, and eye care services are operating at minimal levels amid shortages of essential medicines.

Laboratory services are also constrained, with 59% of critical tests unavailable, including those needed for blood analysis and kidney diagnostics. The ministry attributed the worsening crisis to ongoing restrictions on the entry of medical aid, saying less than 30% of required medical shipments are being allowed in. It urged international organisations to intervene urgently to ensure consistent access to medicines and supplies, warning that further delays could lead to the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system.