WHO warns of severe medical supply shortages in Gaza
Palestinians receiving treatment at a hospital in Deir al Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, 2024 .Credit - Agence France-Presse, Getty Images
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Gaza is facing a severe shortage of medical supplies, raising concerns about the sustainability of treating patients, Al-Monitor via Reuters reported on March 6th.
Reportedly, essential items are already running massively low as the region struggles to recover from years of conflict and restricted access to aid.
The warning was delivered by WHO regional director Hanan Balkhy, who explained that many hospitals no longer have enough equipment and medication to operate normally. Basic medical items such as gauze and needles have already been depleted in some facilities, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza.
Other crucial supplies, including trauma supplies, surgical equipment and vital medicines are nearing exhaustion. Balkhy stressed that the situation is worsening rapidly and that the remaining stocks may soon disappear.
One of the major problems affecting the healthcare system in Gaza is the lack of fuel needed to keep hospitals functioning.
Humanitarian aid deliveries have partially resumed through the Kerem Shalom crossing after it was reopened by Israeli authorities. However, the amount of aid entering the territory is still far below what relief organisations deem necessary. Only a fraction of the trucks required to support Gaza’s population are currently entering, leaving hospitals and aid groups with limited resources to address growing medical needs.
Another key crossing point, Rafah, on the border with Egypt, has remained closed. This crossing has traditionally served as the main route for patients who need specialised treatment outside Gaza. Its closure has halted many medical evacuations, leaving many waiting for urgent care that cannot be provided locally. Among them are injured civilians, people suffering from chronic illnesses and children in need of specialised treatment.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis has placed enormous pressure on Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. Several hospitals are still not operating following the devastation caused by the conflict. Doctors and medical workers are forced to treat injuries and illnesses with limited tools and medication, increasing the risk of complications and preventable deaths.
Al-Monitor via Reuters, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
