Gaza has run out of 141 types of medical drugs, Health Ministry

Wednesday December 30, 2009 16:43 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News & Agencies

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Wednesday that its inventories have run out of 141 types of prescription drugs.

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The Ministry said the shortage of medicine was caused by the continued siege on the Gaza Strip by Israel.

Dr. Munir Perch, General Director of Pharmacy in the Ministry of Health, said that the items with a balance of zero include dialysis supplies, items that are necessary for the artificial kidney unit, items related to major operations, special items for bone surgery and nursery items.

Also, several other kinds of medicines and drugs are due to run out in the coming months. 10 items will cover the ministry's requirements only for three months, 26 items for two months and 29 items for only one month.

The Gaza Strip has been under siege by the Israeli military since June 2006, preventing the 1.5 million Palestinians living there access to proper supplies of food, fuel and medicine.

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