Warning in air about lack of medicines in Gaza

Palestinian Health Minister Dr. Mufid al-Makhallalati has called on the international community and its governments to exert pressure on Israel to lift the illegal siege on GazaHe also urged the Egyptian government to open the Rafah crossing.

This came during a press conference held by the minister on Wednesday in Gaza in which he talked about the exacerbation of the negative effects of the Israeli blockade on Gaza which has continued for the seventh year unabated, and its impacts on the health sector, including the lack of medicines and medical equipment.

Makhallalati stressed that the tightening of the siege and the closure of the Rafah crossing during the past ten weeks had led to a shortage of medicines and medical disposables, which has directly affected the health and services’ sectors.

He said his ministry is following a plan for rationalizing the consumption, and the optimal utilization of the limited available resources of medicines, medical supplies and fuel.

The minister stressed that the crisis experienced by Gaza, which has escalated during the last ten weeks, has caused a decline in pharmaceutical stocks which arrive to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing by 30%, and led to the lack of 145 types of medicines out of 500 main types.

He added that due to the crisis, construction works in seven primary care centers, in addition to five main hospitals have stopped.

Makhallalati pointed to the lack of 460 varieties of medical disposables out of 904 varieties.

He added that the closure of the Rafah crossing deprived one thousand patients from reaching Egyptian hospitals and delayed the arrival of dozens of specialized medical delegations from various countries around the world to the Strip.

There is also a decrease in imports of fuels necessary for the work of the electric generators, ambulances, and health transportation, in addition to the increasing durations of power outages to 12 hours a day, the Palestinian Minister explained.

He noted that his ministry has put the health services on top of its priorities and is communicating with the Egyptian authorities to overcome the obstacles and to meet humanitarian and health needs.

He also called on the Arabs, Muslims and the free world to support the steadfastness of the residents of the Strip, and asked the human rights and humanitarian organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations and the World Health Organization to support the patients' rights and allow them freedom of movement.