Al-Bursh: More than half of medicines out of stock, 28% of diseases linked to contaminated water

GAZA, July 31 (YPA) – The director general of the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, Munir al-Bursh, warned of the rapidly deteriorating health and environmental conditions in the besieged enclave, saying that medicines with zero stock in hospitals and health centers have exceeded 53%.

In press remarks on Friday, al-Bursh said the crisis is unfolding as the Israeli occupation army continues to block the entry of medicines, medical supplies, fuel, and oils needed to operate power generators.

He added that the ministry’s epidemiological surveillance data shows that nearly 28% of diseases spreading across the Gaza Strip are now linked to contaminated water.

Al-Bursh noted that the mixing of drinking water with wastewater from cesspits inside displacement centers and shelters has led to the spread of diseases and epidemics among displaced Palestinians.

He warned that the worsening environmental and health conditions are compounding the risks threatening residents’ lives, amid the ongoing water and sanitation crisis and the declining ability of health institutions to respond to growing needs.

Regarding patients and the wounded, al-Bursh revealed that more than 1,500 patients with official medical referrals have died while waiting to be allowed to leave Gaza for treatment.

He described their deaths as a “humanitarian catastrophe” that reflects the scale of the crisis facing Gaza’s health sector.

@E.Y.M