The Palestinian Deputy Minister of Health, Wael Sheikh, revealed that the health sector is grappling with a dire shortage of medicines and medical supplies due to the financial crisis exacerbated by the Israeli occupation’s theft of Palestinian funds.
Sheikh reported that 540 medical items, including 120 types of essential medications and 420 types of medical consumables, have reached zero stock levels. Among the critical shortages are 20 cancer treatments and 170 items specialized for heart diseases and ophthalmology. This shortage poses a severe threat to healthcare services and patient care.
The health crisis is compounded by the Ministry of Health's mounting debt, which has reached nearly $800 million. Sheikh explained that while the Ministry of Finance allocates payments to reduce the debt, the funds are insufficient to match the growing demands on the healthcare sector.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has previously highlighted that the Israeli occupation continues to deduct funds allocated for the families of martyrs and prisoners. Since February 2019, approximately $930 million have been unlawfully withheld, worsening the financial strain on Palestinian institutions.
This catastrophic shortage underscores the urgent need for international intervention to address the healthcare crisis and hold the occupation accountable for its policies that target the well-being of the Palestinian population.