The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip warned of an unprecedented health catastrophe due to the complete depletion of operational capacity at the remaining oxygen generation plants in the Strip. This situation is a direct result of the Israeli blockade and the severe restrictions imposed on the supply of medical equipment to hospitals.
In a press statement today, the Ministry explained that only 12 out of 34 oxygen plants are still operational, and even then, they are operating under extremely complex technical conditions. This severely hinders the ability to meet the basic needs of healthcare facilities and medical service providers. The Ministry emphasized that these plants are operating beyond their maximum capacity amidst a worsening of frequent mechanical breakdowns.
The Ministry also noted that only 4 out of 30 oxygen cylinder filling machines remain in service, and these are at risk of shutting down at any moment due to the inability to carry out emergency maintenance because of a lack of resources and the prevention of spare parts from entering Gaza.
The Ministry stressed that oxygen is the lifeline for critical and life-saving departments within hospitals and for patients at home. It called for the immediate opening of the crossings to allow the entry of technical equipment and spare parts, and for the urgent supply of new oxygen plants to avert an imminent humanitarian disaster.
