Gaza, (The Palestine Foundation Pakistan)
The Director General of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, said on Thursday that Gaza’s health sector has received only 10% of its essential medical supplies since the announcement of the ceasefire, warning that the blockade imposed by Israel continues to cause daily loss of life among patients.
Abu Salmiya said the Israeli occupation’s ongoing restrictions on medicine entry are “a slow-motion death sentence,” adding that the situation raises fears of widespread disease outbreaks due to severe shortages in drugs and medical equipment.
He explained that 350,000 patients in Gaza are in urgent need of medication for chronic diseases, while the number of asthma patients has sharply increased because of the dust and debris left from Israel’s genocidal war on the Strip.
According to Abu Salmiya, 22,000 patients require treatment abroad, including 18,000 who have completed all necessary preparations, but their travel remains blocked due to Israel’s closure of border crossings. He added that 1,000 patients have already died as a result of the blockade and the ongoing shutdown of Gaza’s crossings.
He stressed that Al-Shifa Medical Complex is working on emergency plans to revive Gaza’s health system and respond to patients’ needs as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, the School Health Department of UNRWA announced the launch of a comprehensive medical screening program for schoolchildren across Gaza’s central and southern regions. The initiative aims to safeguard students’ health through vaccination campaigns, early diagnosis, and preventive care.
The program includes full medical checkups for first graders, covering essential immunizations, vision and speech assessments, and chronic disease monitoring, as well as vaccination services for ninth graders.
UNRWA urged parents to ensure their children’s attendance for these medical services, emphasizing the importance of timely vaccinations, health monitoring, and early interventions to prevent complications.
