The ministry said shortages were hampering diagnostic and treatment services after more than two years of Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza and a prolonged blockade that has devastated the health system.
Doctors in the war-ravaged territory have repeatedly warned they are struggling to save lives because the Israeli regime is preventing the entry of essential medical supplies.
During Israel’s genocidal war, which has spanned more than two years, nearly all of Gaza’s hospitals and healthcare facilities were attacked, with at least 125 health facilities damaged, including 34 hospitals.
“The number of items completely out of stock on the essential medicines list has reached 321, representing a 52 percent shortage,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.
“The number of items completely out of stock on the medical consumables list has reached 710, representing a 71 percent shortage. The shortage rate for laboratory tests and blood bank supplies has reached 59 percent,” it added.
The ministry said the most critical shortages were in emergency services, particularly life-saving intravenous solutions, intravenous antibiotics and pain killers.
The lack of supplies in emergency and intensive care services is potentially depriving 200,000 patients of emergency care, 100,000 patients of surgical services and 700 patients of intensive care, it said.
In addition, the ministry reported shortages in kidney, oncology, open-heart surgery and orthopedic supplies, among other areas.
“Given these alarming figures, and with the continued reduction by the occupation of the number of medical trucks entering Gaza to less than 30 percent of the monthly need, and with the insufficient quantity of supplies available, the Ministry of Health urgently appeals to all relevant parties to fully assume their responsibilities in implementing emergency interventions,” it said.
Meanwhile, despite a United States-backed ceasefire that took effect on October 10, the Israeli regime continues to violate its agreement with Hamas by failing to allow in the agreed quantities of medical aid trucks, deepening what the Gaza Health Ministry has described as a critical and ongoing health emergency.
Amid the shortages, 1,500 children are awaiting the opening of border crossings to travel outside Gaza for medical treatment.
Zaher Al Waheidi, head of the Information Unit at Gaza’s Health Ministry, said on Sunday that 1,200 patients, including 155 children, have died after being unable to be evacuated from Gaza for treatment.
More than 70,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 171,000 others wounded in attacks during Israel’s war on Gaza since October 2023.