Abu Salmiya: 20,000 patients urgently need treatment outside Gaza amid Israeli restrictions
Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex in the Gaza Strip, warned of the catastrophic health situation in the Strip, emphasizing that approximately 20,000 patients are in dire need of treatment outside Gaza. He cited the “very difficult and complex” exit procedures imposed by the Israeli enemy as the reason for their urgent need.
In a statement to the Palestinian news agency Shihab on Monday, Abu Salmiya welcomed the opening of the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza for the exit of patients and the wounded, noting that the people of the Strip were eagerly awaiting this.
He pointed out that the current mechanism, which allows only 50 patients to leave daily, is “very difficult” and would require “years” to evacuate all those in need of treatment.
The director of Al-Shifa Hospital cited alarming figures regarding the number of patients, stating that among those needing treatment abroad are 4,500 children and 4,500 cancer patients, in addition to 450 critical cases that cannot tolerate any delay.
He pointed out that the Gaza Strip has lost more than 1,300 patients who were awaiting their turn for treatment abroad, due to the ongoing Israeli siege and the lack of necessary resources within Gaza.
Dr. Abu Salmiya attributed this tragic situation to the Israeli enemy’s destruction of medical centers and hospitals, and its prevention of the entry of medical supplies, equipment, and medicines into the Strip. He emphasized that the inability of patients to leave or the lack of medicines within Gaza amounts to “a death sentence in advance.”
Abu Salmiya reported that only five patients were allowed to leave today as a trial period, each accompanied by a companion, with the hope that the crossing will be opened tomorrow for larger numbers.
He expressed his hope that the Rafah crossing will be opened to allow hundreds of wounded and sick people to leave daily, not just 50, stressing that the Israeli entity may prevent some cases, even those within the limited number, from leaving.