Arabic version: النظام الصحي في غزة يواجه نقصاً مستمراً في الإمدادات
According to Al Jazeera, Gaza’s health system remains under severe strain a year after the announced October 10 ceasefire, with medical-supply restrictions, stalled evacuations and continuing injuries placing pressure on hospitals and clinics. The report says patients can face risks even when travelling to health centres, and that services supported by Medical Aid for Palestinians have been suspended in parts of Gaza as security conditions deteriorated.
The article says more than 1,470 people have been killed since the ceasefire began. It describes patients with traumatic injuries alongside people needing long-term care, including amputees requiring rehabilitation, prosthetics and further surgery. It also cites shortages affecting treatment for malnutrition, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and kidney failure.
Al Jazeera recounts the case of Iktimal, the aunt of a Medical Aid for Palestinians colleague in Gaza. After a delayed biopsy result showed cervical cancer, she underwent surgery in April and later developed kidney complications requiring specialist care unavailable in Gaza. Her family sought a medical evacuation; she travelled to Egypt after approval, but died two weeks later. The World Health Organization says more than 15,000 people in Gaza are waiting for medical evacuation, the article reports.
Hospitals are also short of IV fluids, anaesthetics, surgical supplies and oxygen, according to the report. In August, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said 22 of Gaza’s 34 oxygen stations had stopped working and only four of 30 machines used to fill oxygen cylinders were operational. Israeli authorities have blocked spare parts needed for repairs as dual-use items, the article says. It adds that Gaza has no working MRI machine and that one or two CT scanners serve about two million people.
The report argues that delays in medicines, diagnostics and patient exits can turn treatable conditions into lasting disability or preventable death. It says the promised period for recovery and rebuilding has not materialised for Gaza’s healthcare system.
