Hospitals have turned into forced waiting stations for thousands of patients

International reports reflect the extent of the international community’s failure to protect the most vulnerable groups in Gaza, where bombardment, hunger, and disease combine to create an uninhabitable environment. In this context, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza stated on Saturday that the remaining functioning hospitals in the Gaza Strip, struggling to maintain services, have become mere waiting rooms for thousands of patients and wounded individuals facing an uncertain fate.

In a social media post, the Ministry added that “the catastrophic effects of the health crisis have made providing healthcare a daily miracle and a major challenge to recovery efforts and the restoration of many specialized services.” The Ministry further stated that the zero stocks of medicines and medical supplies have made even the simplest painkillers a luxury unattainable for those facing death every minute. It reported that 46% of essential medicines, 66% of medical supplies, and 84% of laboratory and blood bank materials are completely out of stock.

The Ministry indicated that cancer, hematology, surgery, operations, intensive care, and primary care services are among the most affected by the crisis. It added that the limited quantities of medications reaching hospitals in the Gaza Strip are insufficient to meet the actual needs for continued healthcare provision.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health emphasized that saving the health situation in Gaza hospitals cannot be achieved through temporary, stopgap solutions that only exacerbate the serious consequences. It reiterated its urgent appeal to all relevant parties to intervene and bolster drug stocks.