Gaza suffer worst shortage of medicine since 2006

Hamas Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qedra says patients in the blockaded Gaza Strip are suffering from the worst shortage of medicines since 2006, Press TV reports. “We are witnessing an unprecedented deterioration in the health situation in Gaza due to lack of medicines,” Qedra told Press TV on Sunday. “Right now our stocks of medicines lack at least 230 types of medicines in addition to nearly 190 types of surgical supplies. This is the worst shortage since 2006.” About 500 patients in Gaza have died due to lack of medicines or their inability to seek treatment outside the blockaded Palestinian territory since 2006, our correspondent reports. On April 7, Hamas Health Minister Basem Naeem called on the international community to “stop sitting idle and to intervene to help end the suffering of the people of Gaza.” The Israeli regime persistently denies over 1.5 million people in the besieged enclave their basic rights, including the freedom of movement and the right to decent living, work, health and education. “I blame Arab countries for what is happening to us. They are watching us as we die and they are not lending a helping hand… Where is their humanity? Where is their dignity?” a Gaza resident told Press TV. Palestinian officials say there will be no end to the health crisis in Gaza as long as the Israeli blockade and the shortage of medicine continue.