WHO: Restrictions on Medical Equipment for Gaza Have Brought the Health System to the Brink of Collapse
The World Health Organization reported that the health system has collapsed due to restrictions on the entry of medical equipment and medicines into Gaza.
Rainehilde van de Weerdt, the World Health Organization's Representative for Palestine, announced that 60 percent of medical equipment is not permitted to enter Gaza and that the health system has reached the brink of collapse.
Critical Situation in the Health System
Rainehilde van de Weerdt, the World Health Organization's Representative for Palestine, stated that the health sector in Gaza is facing a severe crisis and announced that 60 percent of medical equipment is not allowed to enter the region.
The official emphasized that restrictions on medicines and medical devices severely hinder patients' access to treatment.
Permit Processes and Delays
It was reported that long and complex permit procedures are encountered in the process of delivering medical supplies to the region, and according to recent regulations, obtaining entry permits takes at least two and a half months.
It was stated that medicines kept waiting at border areas for a long time face the risk of spoilage and expiration.
Condition of Hospitals and Device Shortages
It was noted that there are no hospitals in Gaza operating at full capacity and that the shortage of medicines is becoming increasingly severe.
According to data from the Gaza Ministry of Health, the number of imaging and diagnostic devices has dropped from 635 to 240.
Risk of Epidemic Diseases
With the approach of the winter season, a warning was issued that the shortage of medicines and equipment could accelerate the spread of infectious diseases.
It was stated that while the polio outbreak has been brought under control, equipment used for monitoring cholera and similar outbreaks remains insufficient.