Palestinian expert warns of flu peak in Gaza amidst collapsing health system, shortages of vaccines, medicines

Ahed Samour, a nutritionist and director of the Family, Childhood, and Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Sector at the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, warned that the flu peak during January and February could lead to deaths and the admission of some patients to intensive care units, due to the deteriorating health situation in the Strip.

In press statements on Wednesday, Samour explained that Gaza residents suffer from a severe lack of immunity due to malnutrition and famine during the past year, making them more susceptible to serious flu complications.

He noted that no deaths have been recorded so far, but some cases have required intensive care. He warned that the absence of annual flu vaccinations for vulnerable groups significantly increases the risk of the disease spreading.

He pointed out that 12,000 doses of the vaccine are ready for injection in Gaza, but the Israeli occupation authorities are preventing their entry into the Strip’s hospitals, which increases the likelihood of worsening infections and complications among children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.

Samour stated that medicines and painkillers are almost nonexistent in hospitals, and the Ministry of Health’s warehouses are empty of many essential items, due to the ongoing Israeli restrictions on the entry of medical supplies into the Gaza Strip.

He emphasized that the health situation in Gaza is facing a genuine collapse and requires urgent intervention to protect the lives of civilians, especially vulnerable groups.