Gaza Health Ministry Says Medicines, Medical Supplies, Laboratory Testing Materials Hit Zero Stock

Gaza’s health system is facing worsening shortages, with the Gaza Health Ministry saying stock levels are at zero for medicines, medical supplies, and laboratory testing materials.

“The health system in Gaza is facing a sharp shortage of the essential means to treat patients, especially laboratory testing materials, with the Health Ministry in the territory saying that 86% of these materials are no longer in service”

Al-Jazeera Net

In a press statement received by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba) on Thursday, the ministry said 47% of essential medicines have zero stock, 59% of medical supplies have zero stock, and 87% of laboratory testing materials have zero stock.

Al-Jazeera Net

The ministry said “the persistence of zero stock levels during the crisis further undermines the efforts of medical staff, increases patient suffering, and leads to an accumulation of medical complications.”

It added that “medications for cancer, hematology, primary care, nephrology, dialysis, and psychiatric services are among the most severely affected by the crisis,” and warned that shortages of laboratory testing supplies threaten the ability to conduct laboratory tests for patients.

The ministry said medical supplies required for eye surgeries, cardiac catheterization, and dialysis are among the categories experiencing worsening stock shortages.

As medical needs surge in Rafah, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it and eleven National Red Cross Societies are joining forces to open a field hospital in Rafah, Gaza.

The ICRC said the 60-bed facility will complement and support the essential work carried out by the Palestinian Red Crescent in providing emergency care, and that it will provide emergency surgical care, obstetric and gynecological, maternal and neonatal care, pediatric care, and an outpatient service.

ICRC

The ICRC said the hospital will be able to provide medical care to around 200 people per day and will enable care for a large number of the injured and support triage operations.

The ICRC warned that “Attacks on health facilities and personnel have dealt a fatal blow to the health system,” and it said Palestinian Red Crescent colleagues have been killed and detained, with troubling reports about their treatment circulating.

It also said that, according to the World Health Organization, only 33% of Gaza's 36 hospitals and 30% of primary health care centers operate to some extent, and those still operational are overwhelmed by patients and shortages of supplies and resources.

The health system’s strain is also reflected in laboratory capacity, with the Health Ministry in Gaza saying 86% of laboratory testing materials are no longer in service.

“Since the October 7, 2023 attack, sanitary and humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip have continued to deteriorate”

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Al-Jazeera’s correspondent in Gaza City, غازي العلول, said the acute shortage of laboratory testing materials is forcing the suspension of vital services including blood tests and the management of chronic and infectious diseases.

Rania Al-Hilu, a medical laboratory specialist, said from the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City that the shortage is increasing day by day and that they are losing patients due to their inability to monitor their conditions.

She added that the shortage affects blood gases, electrolytes, and heart enzymes, and that there are heart patients whose condition is not being monitored, as well as patients undergoing dialysis and cancer patients.

Al Jazeera Net said the crisis is part of a comprehensive war waged by Israel against the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, putting thousands of patients at imminent risk due to the depletion of medicines and essential medical supplies.