Ministry of Health in Gaza warns of increase in mortality rate

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza has warned of the increase in mortality rate among children due to the ongoing ban on travelling for treatment and on medicine.

According to the Health Ministry, 11 patients in the Gaza Strip have recently passed away after being prevented by central authorities from travelling abroad for treatment. More than 42 per cent of the medicine they need is not available in Ministry of Health stores whilst thousands of patients are denied access to treatment facilities.

“Trading in human lives is an unacceptable crime and the blackmailing of patients in Gaza is immoral. Those who are to be held responsible for the death of three children must be punished,” said a spokesman for the Health Ministry in a press conference yesterday evening.

Read: PA ignores treatment requests by 1,720 ill Gazans

He also explained that preventing patients from being transferred for treatment is a crime and that legal and health institutions should protect children and prosecute those responsible for the death of children. Trading in human lives is an appalling crime which is unacceptable by all standards.

It stressed that Rami Hamdalla’s government is refusing to communicate on the issue and heed calls from different authorities and independent sectors.

Until now the Ministry of Health is insisting this is a crime.

Newborn babies at the intensive care unit are seen at the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on 27 June, 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Newborn babies at the intensive care unit are seen at the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on 27 June, 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Newborn babies at the intensive care unit are seen at the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on 27 June, 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Newborn babies at the intensive care unit are seen at the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on 27 June, 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Newborn babies at the intensive care unit are seen at the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on 27 June, 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Newborn babies at the intensive care unit are seen at the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on 27 June, 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Newborn babies at the intensive care unit are seen at the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on 27 June, 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Newborn babies at the intensive care unit are seen at the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on 27 June, 2017 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]