SAFA- More than 21,800 patients and injured Palestinians in the Gaza Strip urgently need to leave the territory for specialized medical treatment and critical surgeries, Gaza Medical Relief Director Dr. Mohammad Abu Afash said Wednesday.

Abu Afash said the current mechanism at the Rafah crossing remains inadequate and does not meet the minimum requirements for transferring the large number of patients in need of care outside Gaza.

He said more than 12,000 cancer patients are currently in the Strip, including more than 5,000 with official medical referrals. More than 200 children with cancer also require medical evacuation and treatment outside Gaza, he added.

Gaza has recorded more than 3,000 amputations, leaving patients in need of prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation programs, while thousands of others require specialized and complex surgeries, according to Abu Afash.

He said cancer medications have been completely depleted for more than a week, while the healthcare system is facing shortages of dialysis supplies and laboratory equipment.

Hundreds of surgeries for patients and injured Palestinians remain postponed amid shortages of specialized medical personnel and medical equipment, Abu Afash said.

He added that hospitals are struggling to provide necessary follow-up care for patients with hypertension, diabetes, and kidney disease because of shortages of laboratory supplies and spare parts for medical equipment.

Abu Afash called for the crossings to be opened more effectively and for medical supplies and equipment spare parts to be allowed into Gaza to help address the urgent needs of thousands of patients.