Gaza dialysis crisis deepens as patients die waiting for care
Gaza is facing a growing dialysis crisis, as an increasing number of kidney dialysis patients are dying due to a severe shortage of medical supplies and functioning equipment, Middle East Eye via Al Jazeera Arabic reported on April 23rd.
A Gaza health official said that over 400 patients, which accounts for approximately 40% of those in need of dialysis, have died since the beginning of the war because of a lack of treatment.
The situation has been exacerbated by Israel’s blockade, which has restricted the entry of medical provisions into Gaza. The same health official noted that there is a severe lack of dialysis equipment, and that kidney medication is almost impossible to obtain.
The New Arab reported on January 8th, that Gaza’s Ministry of Health said a “real disaster” is facing hospitals because of a lack of fuel. Only 14 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remained partially operational, while Israeli attacks had severely damaged three medical facilities in northern Gaza, which meant they no longer functioned.
Reuters reported on March 24th that an Israeli airstrike targeted the surgery department of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, killing five people and causing several others to suffer wounds. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the target was a senior Hamas figure who was receiving treatment there.
David Lammy, the UK’s Foreign Minister, said, these attacks on hospitals are “deplorable,” and called for immediate diplomatic efforts to maintain peace, Middle East Eye reported on April 13th.
Middle East Eye, Jazeera Arabic, The New Arab
