SAFA- The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza warned on Tuesday of an unprecedented shortage of essential medications for cancer patients, stating that oncology services have reached their most critical stage as life-saving drugs, chemotherapy medications, and supportive treatments have run out, while other vital medicines have fallen to critically low levels.

In a press statement, the ministry said chemotherapy treatment protocols have been suspended for patients with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, head and neck cancers, sarcomas, and several other forms of cancer due to the depletion of essential medicines. It added that oncology departments are no longer able to admit new breast cancer patients.

The ministry explained that the shortage of specialized medications has prevented the preparation of combination chemotherapy treatments. It also warned that the lack of immune-boosting injections required after chemotherapy sessions has significantly increased the risk of severe complications and life-threatening infections among patients.

Shortages of palliative medications and pain-killing drugs have compounded the suffering of cancer patients, the ministry said. It noted that around 4,000 cancer patients, out of approximately 11,000 who have medical referrals for treatment outside Gaza, are still waiting for permission to travel.

The ministry stressed that the continued deterioration of specialized treatment supplies, the lack of diagnostic and radiotherapy equipment, and the ongoing Israeli restrictions preventing patients from leaving Gaza for treatment place their lives under serious threat.

The Health Ministry renewed its appeal to international and humanitarian organizations to intervene urgently and respond to the needs of cancer patients in Gaza, warning that their suffering continues to worsen with every passing hour without access to the treatment they urgently require.