Why it matters:
The ongoing crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by ongoing conflict, has led to a dire shortage of essential medications and medical equipment, forcing healthcare providers to resort to expired medications to treat patients. This highlights the devastating impact of the blockade and conflict on the region's healthcare system.
What he's saying:
Director-General of Pharmacies at the Palestinian Ministry of Health Zaki Abou Qamar confirmed that due to the worsening drug shortage, authorities in Gaza have issued emergency approvals for the use of expired medications. These medications undergo a quality assessment by a technical committee, which decides whether they can be safely used or not.
Abou Qamar cautioned the residents of Gaza against taking expired drugs on their own, warning that only those reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Health's technical committee are allowed for use. He emphasized that expired medications, mostly used in emergency, surgical, and chronic disease treatments, are now being extended for use.
Key Points:
- Gaza faces a critical shortage of essential medications, with 37% of the 622 available drug types no longer accessible, and 59% of medical equipment unavailable due to the ongoing conflict.
- Palestine's Ministry of Health calls on international organizations like the WHO to pressure Israel to allow the entry of medical supplies and medications into Gaza, aiming to alleviate the ongoing healthcare crisis in the region.
Go Deeper:
The situation in Gaza underscores the profound humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict and blockade. The scarcity of life-saving medical resources is forcing health professionals to make desperate decisions, such as extending the use of expired drugs, which could have serious long-term consequences for patients' health. The international community faces growing pressure to take action and ensure the flow of critical medical aid into Gaza.
ahmad shirzadian
