Abu Salmiya warns: Dangerous respiratory virus spreading in Gaza Strip amidst collapsing health system
Director of al-Shifa Medical Complex in the Gaza Strip Muhammad Abu Salmiya on Monday warned of a widespread outbreak of a dangerous respiratory virus in the Strip, amidst catastrophic humanitarian and health conditions resulting from the bitter cold, the winter season, and the ongoing effects of the Israeli aggression and blockade, all within the context of the collapsed health system.
In a statement to the Palestinian news agency Shihab on Monday, Abu Salmiya explained that the spreading virus is affecting various areas of the Gaza Strip, and almost every household is affected. He noted that the number of those affected is approaching two million people.
He pointed out that the weakened general immunity of the population, due to hunger, living in unsuitable tents, and environmental pollution, has led to unprecedented health complications, especially among patients, the elderly, and children, as a result of severe pneumonia requiring admission to intensive care units and the use of ventilators.
He emphasized that the health situation is becoming increasingly critical due to the severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies. He explained that the health sector is experiencing its worst crisis since the start of the aggression, having seen no real improvement even hundreds of days after the ceasefire, and remaining subject to the restrictions of the blockade.
The director of Al-Shifa Hospital pointed out a shortage exceeding 60 percent in medicines and medical supplies, including life-saving drugs, antibiotics, pediatric medications, cancer drugs, dialysis treatments, and psychiatric medications. He added that there is also a severe shortage of anesthesia equipment and surgical supplies, leading to the near-total collapse of the health system.
He called on the international and regional mediators who signed the ceasefire agreement to pressure the Israeli enemy to immediately allow the entry of medicines, supplies, and medical equipment into the Gaza Strip. He stressed that many lives are being lost before the eyes of medical teams, lives that could have been saved if basic medical resources had been available.
The ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip came into effect on October 10, after a two-year-long Zionist war of genocide. However, the Israeli enemy army is committing daily violations of the agreement and is still preventing the entry of most humanitarian aid into the Strip.