The Director of the Ministry of Health in Gaza: People with chronic diseases face the risk of death due to the unavailability of medicines

Cancer and chronic disease patients in the Gaza Strip face a tragic reality, waging a difficult battle for survival and to ward off the looming threat of death, amidst a severe shortage of essential medications.

According to figures from the Government Media Office in Gaza, 12,500 cancer patients are at risk of death. The Ministry of Health stated that 64% of cancer medications have run out, and early diagnosis and monitoring equipment is unavailable.

The office described the condition of 350,000 cancer patients as critical due to the Israeli occupation’s prevention of medicine from entering Gaza, adding that 22,000 patients require treatment abroad.

In his commentary on the tragic situation of those suffering from chronic diseases, Dr. Munir al-Barsh, Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, explained that his ministry’s shortage of medicines exceeds 56%, including 65% of the medical supplies needed for cancer and chronic disease patients.

He stated that the number of chronically ill patients in Gaza City is approximately 350,000, all of whom require continuous medication and treatment.

Al-Barsh added that reports from the Gaza Ministry of Health confirm that the Israeli occupation authorities have permitted the entry of approximately 60 truckloads of goods, none of which contain essential medications. These shipments represent only 10% of the Palestinian Ministry’s needs, a figure that fails to address the fundamental problem of drug shortages or the needs of cancer patients requiring treatment protocols.