The Palestinian Ministry of Health has warned that thousands of patients are at serious risk due to critical shortages of medicines and medical supplies, with more than one-third of essential drugs at zero stock levels.
In a statement, the ministry said the lives of over 4,000 cancer patients and thousands of dialysis patients are under threat. Fifty out of 97 cancer treatment drugs have run out, while 265 specialised medical consumables and 79 laboratory items are also at zero stock.
The crisis stems from Israel’s complete withholding of Palestinian tax revenues, known as clearance revenues, for the past 15 months. These funds account for approximately 68 percent of the Finance Ministry’s income, the ministry said.
More than 11,000 scheduled surgeries have been postponed due to supply shortages and labor actions, the ministry added.
The ministry also warned of catastrophic health conditions in the Gaza Strip, where healthcare facilities face severe shortages amid widespread destruction of hospitals and the continued exhaustion of medical personnel.
The ministry appealed to the international community for urgent intervention, requesting $50 million for life-saving medicines and additional financial support to prevent the collapse of the health sector. It also called on Israel, as the occupying power, to fulfill its obligations under international law.
The ministry’s accumulated debt has reached 3.8 billion shekels (approximately $1 billion)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg.jpeg)