The Palestinian Ministry of Health warned today, Thursday, of an unprecedented aggravation in the crisis of medicines, medical supplies, and laboratory materials, stressing that the lives of thousands of patients are now at risk amid the continued severe shortage of essential and vital medicines, primarily cancer drugs, chronic disease medications, and emergency stock.
The ministry said in a press statement that more than a third of the items listed on the essential medicines list now have a zero balance, while hundreds of other items have fallen below the minimum required for emergencies, noting that more than 726 medical and pharmaceutical items now have zero stock in central warehouses.
The ministry confirmed that the lives of more than four thousand cancer patients, along with thousands of dialysis patients, are directly at risk due to the severe shortage of necessary medicines and treatments, warning that all possible solutions and measures will not be enough to stop the crisis from worsening if the withholding of Palestinian clearance funds continues.
The ministry explained that the Palestinian government continues to work around the clock to prevent the collapse of health services, despite the exceptional financial circumstances it is going through, by managing the available resources with the highest levels of efficiency, and …
The ministry confirmed that the lives of more than four thousand cancer patients, along with thousands of dialysis patients, are now directly threatened due to the severe shortage of necessary medicines and treatments. It warned that all possible solutions and measures will not be enough to stop the worsening crisis if the Palestinian clearance funds continue to be withheld. The ministry explained that the Palestinian government continues to work around the clock to prevent the collapse of health services, despite the exceptional financial circumstances, by managing available resources with the highest level of efficiency, prioritizing urgent health needs, and securing as many medicines, supplies, and health services as possible to ensure the continuity of medical care for citizens. At the same time, it called on the international community, UN and humanitarian organizations, and allied and friendly countries to intervene urgently to push for the release of the withheld clearance funds and provide the necessary support to the Palestinian health sector to avoid the collapse of essential services and the severe humanitarian consequences that could affect the lives of thousands of patients, especially those with chronic diseases, cancer, kidney failure, and critical conditions.
It also called for Israel to be held accountable for its legal responsibilities as an occupying power under international law.
