The Palestinian NGO Network in the Gaza Strip warned on Sunday that the health system is nearing complete collapse due to ongoing restrictions on the entry of medicines, medical supplies, and operational materials, and the declining capacity of hospitals and health facilities to continue providing services to patients and the wounded.
During a press conference, the network stated that the continuation of the current situation threatens to push health facilities to the point of being unable to provide basic services, coinciding with increasing medical needs and dwindling resources available to the health sector.
It noted that 26 out of 38 hospitals have been rendered inoperable due to destruction since the start of the war, while the shortage of medicines is estimated at approximately 50%, and the shortage of medical consumables at approximately 58%.
It added that the health sector crisis extends to oxygen services, as only 12 out of 34 oxygen plants are operational, exacerbating the risks for intensive care patients and those who rely on continuous oxygen. The Ministry of Health in Gaza had previously warned of the depletion of the operational capacity of the remaining plants and their susceptibility to frequent breakdowns. The crisis is not limited to medicines and medical supplies, as hospitals are facing a severe shortage of fuel, oils and spare parts needed to operate generators in light of the continued power outages.
