Gaza Shortage of laboratory supplies threatens to shut down laboratories and blood banks

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip warned of a worsening crisis affecting medical laboratories and blood banks due to the continued halt in the entry of laboratory supplies, threatening their complete shutdown in the near future.

In a press statement issued Monday, the Ministry explained that the shortage of essential laboratory testing materials has exceeded 84%, while the shortage of consumables and laboratory supplies has reached approximately 71%, placing the health system in grave danger.

The Ministry emphasized that several laboratory tests are now at risk of complete cessation as the crisis continues to escalate. Among the most affected tests are the complete blood count (CBC),coagulation factor tests, blood gas analysis, microbiology tests, tumor tests, and blood transfusion compatibility tests.

The ministry stressed that patients and the wounded in intensive care, operating rooms, and emergency departments, as well as neonatal units, cannot receive the necessary medical care without basic laboratory tests, warning of serious repercussions for patients’ lives.

The Ministry of Health called on relevant authorities to intervene urgently and immediately to ensure the replenishment of laboratory and blood bank stocks, emphasizing that these vital facilities are on the verge of shutting down if the crisis continues without a solution.

Since October 7, 2013, Israel, with American and European support, has been committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, including killing, starvation, destruction, displacement, and arrests, ignoring international appeals and orders from the International Court of Justice to cease its actions.