Gaza Health Ministry Cancer drug shortage exceeds 61 threatening patients lives

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip warned of a worsening drug crisis, confirming that cancer and blood disease medications topped the list of shortages at 61%, placing the lives of cancer patients at serious risk as their treatment protocols are disrupted. The Ministry explained that the shortage of medications reached 47%, while the shortage of medical supplies reached 58%, and the shortage of laboratory testing materials rose to 85%, threatening a near-complete halt to essential diagnostic and treatment services. It added that the crisis has affected other vital health sectors, with shortages of maternal and child health medications reaching 56%, primary healthcare medications 55%, kidney and dialysis medications 46%, mental health and neurological medications 35%, emergency and intensive care medications 33%, surgical supplies 39%, and orthopedic surgery supplies 47%. The Ministry emphasized that the severe shortage of essential laboratory tests directly impacts the ability of medical teams to diagnose critical cases and save lives, noting that the continuation of this situation threatens the collapse of even more health services. The Ministry of Health reiterated its appeal to international, UN, and humanitarian organizations for urgent intervention and the delivery of medicines, medical supplies, and laboratory testing materials to mitigate the worsening health crisis in the Gaza Strip.