Gaza’s Health Ministry says the territory’s medical oxygen system is nearing collapse, with only about 10 production stations and four cylinder-filling machines still operating.
Health organizations also warn that shortages of fuel and spare parts could force medical facilities and services to close. Gaza health authorities warn remaining oxygen plants could fail as shortages of spare parts and technical equipment threaten medical services.
Gaza’s medical oxygen system is nearing collapse, with only about 10 oxygen production stations still operating and just four machines available to fill oxygen cylinders, the Gaza Health Ministry said Saturday.
The remaining facilities face repeated breakdowns and declining capacity for essential maintenance, putting hospitals and patients at risk of losing access to oxygen altogether, the ministry said.
Health authorities have previously reported that Israeli forces destroyed about 25 of the 34 oxygen production stations in Gaza during the offensive that began in October 2023, including during military incursions into hospitals.
The four remaining cylinder-filling machines could stop operating at any time because engineering teams lack the resources and equipment needed for emergency maintenance amid restrictions imposed by Israel, the ministry said.
The ministry called for the immediate establishment of direct channels to import spare parts and technical equipment needed to maintain oxygen plants and filling machines, as well as for the urgent supply of new oxygen plants.
It said oxygen is an essential component of medical care on which critical hospital departments depend to save lives.
Health services face wider shortages
The Palestinian Medical Relief Society separately warned that its facilities and services in Gaza could close because of severe shortages of fuel and spare parts needed to keep generators and medical vehicles operating.
The organization said restrictions on the entry of essential supplies were worsening the crisis and threatening to disrupt health services relied upon by thousands of Palestinians living in precarious conditions amid a severe humanitarian crisis.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said Israel continues to restrict the entry of motor oil and spare parts needed to maintain hospital generators and ambulances.
MSF said the restrictions were putting thousands of patients at risk, as numerous hospitals and medical centers depend on generators to maintain basic services.
Author: MK
Source: Agencies
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