The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm over a extreme scarcity of blood provides and trauma care supplies in Gaza, warning that the territory wants no less than 4,500 blood items monthly to satisfy pressing medical wants however at present has entry to fewer than 500.
“Trauma is increasing, but the capacity to treat is decreasing,” mentioned Richard Peeperkorn, WHO consultant within the occupied Palestinian territory, at a UN briefing in Geneva.
Peeperkorn mentioned greater than half of the hospitals receiving trauma instances have a mattress occupancy fee of over 80%.
The lack of important medical provides is compounding the disaster, he mentioned, including: “Urgent restock (is) needed of trauma supplies like fluids, and antibiotics for wounded patients.”
According to the consultant, exterior fixators for damaged bones have fully run out.
The scarcity of blood items is very dire. “Less than 500 blood units are available at the blood banks in Gaza,” he mentioned, stressing that that is far under the 4,500 items wanted month-to-month for trauma instances, surgical procedures, and complex deliveries.
“This is absolutely a top priority,” he mentioned. “WHO is ready to bring that in, at least part of that … but unfortunately, there’s nothing yet allowed in.”
He additionally highlighted rising boundaries to deploying worldwide medical groups. Since March 18, solely six employees from emergency medical groups (EMTs) have been permitted entry into Gaza, whereas 34 stay caught in Jordan awaiting approval.
“In recent weeks, the denial rate for EMTs entering Gaza … has surged to between 40 to 50%,” Peeperkorn mentioned, with key specialists like vascular surgeons being blocked.
Meanwhile, medical evacuations have largely slowed down and each day medical evacuations have stopped since Rafah’s closure, with solely restricted transfers through Kerem Shalom, he mentioned.
The Israeli military launched a shock aerial marketing campaign on the Gaza Strip on March 18, killing 855 folks, injuring almost 1,900 others and shattering the January ceasefire and prisoner change settlement.
More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, principally ladies and kids, and over 113,900 injured in a brutal Israeli navy onslaught on Gaza since October 2023.
Source: www.anews.com.tr