Health Ministry in Gaza warns: Severe shortage of laboratory supplies threatens to halt healthcare services

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip warned on Wednesday of a worsening crisis due to a severe shortage of laboratory supplies, which is directly and seriously impacting the health system’s ability to provide medical care to patients.

In a statement, the ministry said that 75% of biochemistry testing materials are now unavailable, while approximately 90% of blood testing and transfusion supplies have been depleted, leading to the suspension of a large number of essential diagnostic services.

It noted that tests for endocrine, oncology, and kidney transplant patients, in addition to blood electrolyte and complete blood count (CBC) tests, have completely ceased.

The ministry added that 72% of bacterial culture testing materials are also unavailable, as no supplies have been allowed into laboratories and blood banks for several months. It warned that if this situation continues, the crisis could escalate to a point where it hinders patient diagnosis and surgical procedures.

The Ministry of Health called on relevant authorities and international organizations to intervene urgently to provide laboratory supplies and replenish the stocks of laboratories and blood banks, in order to prevent the collapse of what remains of the health services.

This warning comes at a time when the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains extremely dire, despite the ceasefire declared on October 10, 2015. The occupying authorities continue to renege on their commitments, most notably opening the crossings and allowing the entry of the agreed-upon quantities of food, relief supplies, medical aid, and shelter materials.