Gaza: Medical sources reported on Saturday that thalassemia patients in the Gaza Strip are enduring worsening conditions, turning their treatment journey into a daily struggle for survival.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the statement issued on World Thalassemia Day highlighted severe shortages of specialized medications, limited laboratory testing supplies, and inadequate access to blood transfusions and blood units. The destruction of specialized medical centers, alongside dire social conditions and repeated displacement, poses a serious threat to patients' lives.
The statement revealed that 50 patients out of a total of 334 have died during the Israeli aggression, while 47 others managed to leave the Gaza Strip. Currently, 237 thalassemia patients remain in Gaza, including 52 children under the age of 12 and 185 adults.
Medical sources emphasized the impact of the destruction of laboratory infrastructure and the lack of necessary testing equipment for preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic examinations. This situation could lead to undiagnosed cases, undermining longstanding preventive healthcare efforts.
They urged international health organizations to prioritize the suffering of thalassemia patients trapped in life-threatening conditions, which jeopardize global efforts aimed at preventing and managing the disease.
