Occupied Jerusalem, June 4 (SANA) The Palestinian Health Ministry warned on Thursday that severe shortages of medicines, laboratory supplies and medical equipment are putting thousands of patients at risk, as the healthcare system faces a potential collapse.
According to the Palestinian News Agency WAFA, The ministry said more than one-third of essential medicines are currently out of stock, warning that cancer patients and those requiring kidney dialysis are among the most affected.
Officials said approximately 4,000 cancer patients and thousands of kidney dialysis patients face serious risks due to the shortages.
The ministry called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to pressure Israel to release withheld Palestinian tax revenues and provide urgent support to the Palestinian health sector to prevent a humanitarian crisis.
The ministry attributed the crisis to the continued withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues for the past 15 months, saying this has prevented authorities from paying pharmaceutical suppliers and disrupted medical imports.
According to the ministry, around 180 of 520 essential medicines are now at zero stock, including 50 of 97 oncology-related drugs.
Shortages have also affected dialysis filters, surgical sutures and cardiac catheterization supplies, forcing hospitals to postpone procedures. The ministry said more than 11,000 surgeries have been delayed or cancelled due to lack of medical supplies and financial constraints.
It added that the crisis comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, where hospitals are also facing severe shortages of medicines, fuel and essential supplies due to ongoing Israeli offensive.
The ministry urged international donors to provide urgent funding, including $100 million for life-saving and essential medicines, to sustain basic healthcare services and meet growing medical needs.
F.J./R.K.
