Two Gaza hospitals suspend services due to power crisis

Palestine

Published: 2018-01-29 10:41

Last Updated: 2024-03-27 21:57


Gazan hospitals have been desperately trying to cope with the power crisis to save lives. (Alhourriah.org)
Gazan hospitals have been desperately trying to cope with the power crisis to save lives. (Alhourriah.org)

Beit Hanoun Hospital in the northeast edge of the Gaza Strip has suspended its medical services after running out of fuel to operate electricity generators in the building, according to the Spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Ashraf Al Qadrah.

All patients are scheduled to be moved to other hospitals, Al Qadrah added on Monday.

Al-Durra children's hospital is also halting its health services for the same reason. 

The Ministry of Health recently announced that it is suffering from an acute shortage of medicines, medical supplies and fuel.

Many patients with serious illnesses and conditions such as kidney failure can’t be treated at home during power outages. They rush to hospitals to get in line, in hopes of receiving treatment before the power is out again.

Gaza’s health facilities need 450,000 liters of diesel per month when power outages last 8-12 hours a day, at a cost of nearly $2,000 to cover a single hour of power outage, according to the Ministry.