Hospitals across Palestine are facing critical shortages of medical supplies, equipment, and medications. Healthcare workers are doing their best with limited resources to treat patients.

The ongoing restrictions on imports have severely impacted the healthcare system, with many essential medications and specialized equipment unavailable or in critically short supply. Surgeries are being postponed, treatments interrupted, and in some cases, patients are being turned away due to lack of resources.

Critical Shortages

Among the most critically needed items are:

• Anesthetics and pain management medications
• Antibiotics and other essential drugs
• Surgical supplies and equipment
• Diagnostic equipment and spare parts
• Dialysis supplies
• Cancer treatments

These shortages are particularly devastating for patients with chronic conditions who require ongoing treatment, such as cancer patients, those with kidney disease, and individuals with diabetes.

Impact on Healthcare Workers

Healthcare professionals are working under extreme pressure, often with inadequate resources. Many report working double shifts due to staff shortages, and the psychological toll of being unable to provide adequate care to patients is significant.

Dr. Khalid Rahman, a surgeon at Al-Shifa Hospital, describes the situation: "We are forced to make impossible choices every day. We have to prioritize which patients receive treatment based on the limited supplies we have, not based on medical need. It's heartbreaking."

International Medical Aid

Several international organizations are working to address these shortages by sending medical supplies and equipment. However, getting these items into Palestine remains challenging due to restrictions and bureaucratic obstacles.

Medical aid organizations report that even when supplies are approved for entry, delays at checkpoints can result in temperature-sensitive medications being rendered unusable.

How You Can Help

There are several ways to support Palestinian healthcare:

• Donate to medical aid organizations specifically working to provide supplies to Palestinian hospitals
• Support advocacy efforts calling for unrestricted access for medical supplies
• Raise awareness about the healthcare crisis among medical professionals in your community
• If you are a healthcare professional, consider volunteering with medical missions to the region