Gaza Health Director General: Health collapse is “catastrophe” worsening every day

GAZA, Nov. 24 (YPA) – The Director General of the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Munir al-Barsh, confirmed, on Monday, that the health collapse in the Strip is a “catastrophe” that worsens every day.

He stated that the health system in Gaza is experiencing a complete collapse despite the cessation of hostilities weeks ago, with hospitals running out of resources and patients dying while waiting for treatment.

Dr. al-Barsh explained that the crisis has worsened, with the shortage of essential medicines reaching 84% and 40% of emergency medicines reaching zero for the first time in the history of the Ministry of Health.

He pointed out that with a 71% shortage of medical supplies, gauze is no longer available and solutions will not last for more than a month, while laboratories have completely shut down due to fuel and communication outages.

He emphasized that despite this collapse, the ministry receives only two truckloads of medical supplies per week, an amount that is insignificant compared to the escalating needs.

Dr. al-Barsh reported that the shortage has also affected cancer medicines by 71%, and 90% of orthopedic surgery supplies have disappeared, forcing thousands of wounded people to request referrals for treatment outside Gaza.

He said: “With the widening crisis, the ministry recorded that 82% of children under one year old suffer from anemia, and more than 18,000 cases need to travel for treatment, including 7,000 wounded and 5,000 children.”

“While the occupation presents a misleading image to the world by allowing the entry of consumer goods, it prevents the entry of medical equipment and life-saving supplies, which has led to the death of 1,000 patients awaiting transfer and the existence of 6,000 amputation cases in need of urgent care,” he added.