BEIT HANOUN, Gaza Strip — A severe shortage of medicine and medical supplies threatens the health of one-third of patients in Gaza, Ashraf al-Qudra, spokesman for the Ministry of Health, told Al-Monitor. “The shortage is at 32% for medicines and 38% for medical supplies, which is equivalent to 154 different types of medicines and 342 types of medical disposables,” said Qudra, warning of potential negative repercussions for Gazans' health should these shortages persist.

The blockade imposed on Gaza after Hamas took control of the territory in 2007 is preventing local factories from getting the necessary raw materials for medicines in addition to spare parts for equipment damaged by war and years of deterioration. Qudra told Al-Monitor, “The siege that has been ongoing for eight consecutive years has hampered companies’ ability to import medicines through the Israeli crossings, which led to a shortage in medicines and medical supplies, undermining the health [sector] in the Gaza Strip.”

He also accused the Palestinian consensus government of not fulfilling its duties toward Gaza, saying, “The Ministry of Health under the consensus government should transfer 40% of its medicine in Ramallah, most of which is provided by international parties, to the Gaza Strip, while 60% remains for the West Bank. However, only around 5% to 7% actually reaches the strip.”

Qudra further asserted, “That the Egyptian side has been preventing convoys of support and relief to enter through the Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt since former President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown in 2013 led to depriving the strip of 30% of its medical needs, gradually resulting in a decline in pharmaceutical [reserves].”