Ref: 79/2007
Date: 01 August 2007
Time: 12:30 GMT
Including 250 Kidney Patients:
Shortages of Medication Threaten the Lives of Hundreds of Patients in the Gaza Strip
PCHR is extremely concerned over the condition of patients in the Gaza Strip as a result of the shortage of medical supplies and drugs required to treat chronic cases, and barring these patients from treatment abroad due to the Israeli closure or border crossings.
The Center’s preliminary investigation indicates that approximately 150 types of medications and medical supplies have run out or are about to run out from the stores of hospitals and clinics in the Gaza Strip. Most of them are related to the treatment of chronic cases. In addition, there is a severe lack in 110 types of medication and supplies. Furthermore, pharmacies in the Gaza Strip report that 20 types of medications and supplies have run out of their stores.
The shortage in medications poses a serious threat to the lives of patients who have had kidney transplants. Dr. Nafith Na’em, a specialist internist in Shifa Hospital, stated that two types of medication have run out 10 days ago: Cellsept and Cyclospani. As a result, the lives of 250 patients are threatened, especially 220 who have had kidney transplants, as these medications are used to stabilize the new kidney in the body. It is noted that last month, Shifa Hospital provided only 25% of patients needs of these drugs. Dr. Na’em stated that the conditions of many patients have started to deteriorate; and that their bodies have started to exhibit symptoms of rejection of the implanted kidney. The hospital asked them to perform some tests outside the hospital, which cannot conduct the tests for them. Dr. Na’em expressed fear that further delay in bringing in medication would lead to severe rejection of implanted kidneys, forcing the Ministry to rely on new drugs that need special procedures to enter the Gaza Strip. Dr. Na’em stated that the shortage in medication is only in the Gaza Strip; and that West Bank hospitals do not suffer from this problem.
PCHR’s fieldworker interviewed a number of patients who talked about their suffering as a result of the shortage in medication. One of the patients whose condition deteriorated stated:
“My name is Mohammad Ismail El-Reyashi. I am 35 years old, am married, and a father of 5 children. I an unemployed, and live in Gaza City. On 11 April 2007, I managed to travel to Egypt after many tries. From there I went to Pakistan to undergo a kidney transplant after my situation had deteriorated significantly. I stayed in the Pakistani hospital for a month to make sure that the operation succeeded. On 11 May 2007, I returned to Cairo, and immediately headed to Rafah to return home. My health condition was not good, and I was ill because I had taken large doses of medication. My situation deteriorated for having to wait 3 days at the border. The Rafah crossing was opened for hours on 13 May 2007; and I passed through with great difficulty. After returning home, I thought that the suffering had ended; and I started receiving the necessary medication from the Ministry of Health. This continued till 1 July 2007. Then I and other patients like me started to feel the shortage in the 2 most important medications we take. The Ministry supplied us with a limited dosage of 25% for 2 weeks. Ten days ago, the drugs ran out of the Ministry’s storage; and since then, we have not taken the required dosage. It is noted that the physicians who did the kidney transplant warned me against forgetting to take the medication for a single day. As a result of not taking the medication, I feel very ill; and I faint frequently. I was taken to the hospital, which asked me to conducts some kidney tests. I fear that the results will show that my body is starting to reject the implanted kidney. I would like to say that the cost of the medication I require is very high. Nonetheless, I tried to buy it from outside pharmacies; but I did not find it. My life has become dependent on the entry of this medication to Gaza, and every second of delay leaves a negative impact on my health.”
In addition to the shortage in drugs and medical supplies, key medical equipment ceased to operate in all of the hospitals in the Gaza Strip due to the stoppage in maintenance and lack of spare parts due to the closure of borders since 15 June 2007. As a result, health services provided has deteriorated; and tens of surgeries have been delayed due to the lack of supplies. Sources in the pediatric department at Shifa Hospital informed PCHR’s fieldworker that 10 out of 12 available fluid injection regulators are out of order. These regulators are essential to feed ill children. In addition, 9 out of 30 kidney dialysis machines are out of order. As a result, dialysis patients are required to wait additional hours for treatment on the functioning equipment that is running at double normal capacity. In addition, a CT scan machine is out of order and needs maintenance. The only alternative is the CT machine in Khan Yunis, which has become the only machine serving in governmental hospitals in the Gaza Strip.
PCHR is extremely concerned over the deterioration of the conditions of Palestinian patients in the Gaza Strip, and the deterioration of health services in hospitals and clinics due to the closure imposed by Israel, and:
– Calls upon the international community, especially the High Contracting Parties of the 4th Geneva Convention, to pressure Israel to life the suffering of the population of the Gaza Strip, especially patients; and to exert all forms of pressure to reopen border crossings to allow urgent medical supplies and spare parts for medical equipment to enter the Gaza Strip.
– Calls for reopening the Rafah International Border Crossing for the movement of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip, especially humanitarian cases and patients needing treatment abroad.
– Reminds the international community that the hermetic closure and restrictions on movement and on the flow of medical supplies are a violation of International Humanitarian Law; which requires the international community to pressure Israel to respect its obligations under the 4th Geneva Convention.
