Thousands of Cancer Patients in Gaza Strip at Risk Due to Medicine Shortage
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior Palestinian health official issued a warning on Monday, stating that more than 9,000 cancer patients in the Gaza Strip are in danger due to a lack of medicines.
Subhi Skaik, the director general of the Gaza Cancer Center, expressed concerns about the inadequate diagnostic and treatment capabilities for cancer patients in the region during a press conference, according to Xinhua.
Skaik emphasized the alarming rate of tumors, referring to data from the World Health Organization. The incidence of cancer in the Gaza Strip has risen to 91.3 per 100,000 residents in 2021, with projections indicating it will double by 2040. The current cancer mortality rate stands at 12.5 percent.
Furthermore, the patients in Gaza face difficulties in accessing radiotherapy and nuclear medicine for diagnosis, according to the official. The travel restrictions imposed by Israel further hinder their ability to seek life-saving treatment in the West Bank or East Al-Quds.
The health official urgently called upon the international community and relevant authorities to intervene in order to save the lives of cancer patients in the Gaza Strip.
Since 2007, approximately 2 million Palestinians residing in the coastal enclave have been subjected to an Israeli blockade.
