Gaza Health Official Warns of Catastrophic Drug Shortage Endangering Thousands
A senior health official in the Gaza Strip has warned that the drug shortage crisis in the region has reached an unprecedented level, surpassing even the hardest days of war. According to him, this situation poses a serious threat to the lives of thousands of patients, especially those suffering from chronic illnesses. Dr. Alaa Heles, Director of Pharmaceutical Care at Gaza’s Ministry of Health, stated that the current level of drug shortages is the highest in the past two years. He noted that patients with cancer, heart, and kidney diseases have been the most affected, with severely limited access to vital treatments. The health official explained that the unprecedented shortage of medicine and medical supplies has effectively caused the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system. Heles emphasized that the entry of medical equipment and specialized medical teams into Gaza continues to be blocked, doubling the pressure on healthcare centers and staff. He added that a large portion of essential and critical medicines has completely run out, drastically reducing hospitals’ capacity to provide basic and emergency services. According to him, many hospitals are no longer able to meet urgent patient needs. The Director of Pharmaceutical Care in Gaza said that as a result of this shortage, operating rooms and intensive care units in many centers have been halted or severely restricted. Advanced surgeries, especially open-heart surgery and a large number of specialized orthopedic procedures, are practically not being performed, while cancer treatment, blood disease services, and dialysis have also faced significant reductions. Heles described the continued prevention of medication, medical supplies, and expert teams from entering Gaza as a form of “indirect killing” of Gaza’s residents and warned that the worsening condition of patients could lead to their death in some cases. In conclusion, the health official stressed that the drug shortage crisis has surpassed a mere health problem and turned into a complete humanitarian disaster. He called on international organizations, especially the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to take immediate practical action to prevent the total collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system and save patients’ lives.
