Gaza Strip The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip has issued a stark warning about an escalating health and humanitarian crisis as winter descends. Over 70,000 tents for displaced individuals have been inundated due to a recent storm, and the capacity of hospitals has been drastically reduced to less than half of their pre-war levels. This situation is compounded by a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies, along with the breakdown of numerous electrical generators, threatening the health system's ability to manage a potential surge in patient numbers.
According to Maan News Agency, Zaher Al-Wahidi, Director of the Health Information Center and spokesperson for the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, highlighted alarming signs regarding the health sector's capacity to endure the impact of weather conditions and ongoing Israeli targeting. Al-Wahidi reported that the recent low-pressure system resulted in four fatalities, including three children who died from suffocation after a sand cliff collapse. The cumulative death toll from collapses, including building and sand cliffs, has surpassed 56 cases.
About 90% of Gaza's population resides in shelters and displacement tents, making them susceptible to the hazards of cold, rain, and winter diseases. The flooding of tens of thousands of tents has left families without essential belongings like blankets and mattresses. Many families have resorted to pitching their tents near sand cliffs to shield themselves from the weather and Israeli fire, despite the risk of collapse.
Al-Wahidi emphasized the urgent need for at least 220,000 tents in Gaza, along with blankets, mattresses, tarpaulins, and shelter supplies. The current tents have become worn out due to prolonged exposure to harsh conditions and can no longer withstand rain and wind. The ongoing situation could lead to further deaths, especially among children and the elderly, due to extreme cold and the inability to provide basic protection.
The clinical capacity of Gaza's Ministry of Health hospitals has declined significantly, from around 2,700 beds before the war to only 1,200 beds currently, greatly limiting their ability to accommodate patients. Of the 16 hospitals operational before the war, only five continue to provide services. These facilities are experiencing a sharp rise in cases of respiratory infections and winter-related illnesses.
Severe energy shortages have hit hospitals hard, with only 44 out of 116 generators still functioning. The remaining generators are operating on burnt oils due to a lack of designated oils, risking further breakdowns and threatening the continuity of medical services. The health sector has been unable to acquire new generators or medical equipment since the war began, despite the heavy reliance on generators for hospital operations.
Additionally, transportation routes for healthcare workers have been severely disrupted due to financial constraints, affecting the regularity of shifts and the ability of employees to reach hospitals. The cost of transport has become burdensome, exacerbated by the interruption of regular salaries and limited financial payments.
Al-Wahidi also warned of a potential rise in meningitis and respiratory diseases, stressing the need for emergency measures if infections increase sharply. The Ministry of Health is monitoring disease spread through an electronic system and is prepared to prioritize the most serious cases if necessary.
In a direct appeal to families, Al-Wahidi urged vigilance regarding children's health and immediate hospital visits for symptoms like high fever, lethargy, or vomiting. He called for preventive actions to limit infection spread within displacement camps.
Finally, Al-Wahidi appealed to the international community and humanitarian organizations for urgent intervention to supply medicines, medical equipment, and generators, and to provide essential shelter needs for the displaced. He emphasized that addressing the health system's challenges requires tackling energy, transportation, and housing issues to ensure continued medical care for vulnerable populations.
Source Maan News Agency