Gaza health system near collapse as hospitals face imminent shutdown, warns Al-Shifa director
GAZA, March 26 (YPA) – Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, warned on Thursday that the health sector in the Gaza Strip is on the brink of collapse due to the continued closure of crossings and restrictions on the entry of essential supplies.
He said hospitals could face a complete shutdown within days if conditions persist.
In remarks to Sanad News Agency, Abu Salmiya stated that nearly two million Palestinians in the besieged enclave are increasingly at risk of hunger, poverty, and disease, as humanitarian and living conditions continue to deteriorate sharply.
He noted that global attention shifting to other events has contributed to reduced focus on Gaza’s worsening crisis, adding that the ongoing blockade is directly affecting residents’ daily lives, particularly through the severe decline in healthcare services.
Hospitals, he explained, are experiencing critical shortages of medicines and medical supplies, along with dwindling fuel needed to operate generators—raising the risk of imminent shutdown.
Abu Salmiya warned that continued restrictions on the entry of medical and essential materials could lead to a “real humanitarian catastrophe,” stressing that urgent intervention is needed to prevent the collapse of the health system.
He added that shortages extend to vital equipment such as intensive care units and ventilators, as well as basic supplies including gauze, IV fluids, and surgical tools. Many departments are operating at limited capacity due to staff and resource constraints, hindering care for critical and chronic patients.
He also pointed out that the aid currently entering Gaza remains far below what is needed, as fears of famine continue to grow.
Abu Salmiya called on the international community to act immediately to pressure for the reopening of crossings and the delivery of medical and humanitarian aid, warning that failure to do so would result in the total collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system.
His warning came as Gaza’s health sector faces severe depletion after prolonged conflict and ongoing restrictions on aid and medical supplies.