Gaza Health Officials Warn of Imminent Closure of Blood Banks Amid Severe Shortages

Health officials in the Gaza Strip have warned that local blood banks and laboratories are on the verge of complete shutdown due to widespread shortages of essential equipment and consumables. This critical situation threatens to seriously disrupt diagnostic services for patients and the injured.

Sahar Ghanem, a director at Gaza’s Ministry of Health, reported that shortages of laboratory materials and equipment have reached 87 percent, with a 74 percent deficit in vital supplies needed for diagnostic tests. She noted that this ongoing crisis has reduced the capacity of health centers to their lowest level.

Ghanem also highlighted that frequent breakdowns of aging laboratory devices have exacerbated the crisis, causing many diagnostic services to face interruptions. She warned that without the immediate provision of necessary equipment and materials, continued operation of blood banks and laboratories will be impossible.

This warning comes as Gaza’s health system suffers extensive damage from Israeli attacks and restrictions on the entry of medical equipment and supplies. Health authorities say that if the situation persists, it will pose a serious threat to the health of thousands of residents in the region.