Gaza’s Ministry of Health on Tuesday said that there is an unprecedented shortage in medical supplies in Gaza hospitals and health centers in view of the continuing influx of Palestinians injured or killed in ongoing protests.
Spokesman for the Ministry Ashraf al-Qedra said in a press conference on Tuesday that medical crews in Gaza are facing difficult challenges in light of the increasing number of casualties.
Al-Qedra pointed out that 30 Palestinians have been killed since the launch of the Great March of Return two of whom are being detained by the Israeli occupation forces while 3078 injured 105 of whom seriously.
He added that the deficit in the hospitals’ needs of medicines has reached 45% while the deficit in the provision of basic health services has amounted to 27%.
The Palestinian official called for pressuring Israel to lift the siege the main reason for the deterioration in Gaza’s health situation affirming that the Ministry of Health is making strenuous efforts to maintain the delivery of at least the basic health services.
He also called for opening Gaza crossings and allow the entry of medical delegations and supplies to help save the health sector.
Al-Qedra noted that the Israeli occupation forces deliberately target medical and ambulance crews and obstruct their evacuation of injured civilians in a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and Fourth Geneva Convention.
For his part director general of drug control in the Ministry of Health Munir al-Borsh said during the conference that the increasing number of casualties in the Great March of Return is a difficult challenge to medical staff that is draining huge quantities of drugs and medical supplies in various sections.
Al-Borsh pointed out that the Ministry’s stores have run out of 232 types of much-needed drugs and about 229 items of basic medical supplies.
He appealed to international relief organizations to support the health sector in Gaza to ensure the continuation of the provision of services to patients and those injured in the protests.
Major demonstrations called the Great March of Return have been launched on a daily basis since 30th March along Gaza border with the 1948 occupied Palestinian territories in demand of the Palestinian refugees’ right of return.
