By Rohani Mohd Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Palestine’s severely damaged healthcare system faces long-term consequences as widespread destruction, medical supply shortages and mounting financial constraints cripple the Health Ministry’s ability to deliver essential services.
Health Minister Dr Maged Awni Abu Ramadan said more than 80 per cent of primary healthcare clinics had been damaged, leaving many Palestinians without access to essential medical care.
He said the ministry urgently needed medicines, vaccines, laboratory testing supplies and medical equipment.
“Over the last two and a half years, what enters Gaza is like a drop in the ocean, not only for medical supplies, but also for food and other sanitary supplies that are needed,” he said during a live appearance from Palestine on Bernama TV’s Bernama World segment, titled Palestine Beyond The Headlines: Deliberate Destruction Of Palestinian Healthcare on Thursday.
Israel launched its war on Gaza on Oct 8, 2023, killing more than 73,000 Palestinians and injuring over 174,000, according to Palestinian figures.
Anadolu Ajansi reported that about 90 per cent of Gaza’s infrastructure had been damaged, while 1,381 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli attacks since the October 2025 ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Maged said many Palestinians were scattered across areas with damaged roads and no public transport, while financial hardship further restricted their ability to reach hospitals.
“People lack the financial means or the ability to reach hospitals, so we have to go to them. Providing mobile clinics is crucial for early treatment and diagnosis, as well as services such as vaccinations, maternal and child healthcare, minor surgeries and the treatment of chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and heart conditions, which have been neglected for almost three months,” he said.
The minister said the healthcare crisis was further compounded by severe financial constraints, with two-thirds of Palestine’s income being withheld and the Health Ministry facing debts of US$1.3 billion.
The ministry had also lost more than 1,200 staff members in Gaza, further straining its ability to provide healthcare services.
“We are unable to pay for the drug suppliers and manufacturers as well as the service providers, hospitals, and others, and that's really a severe problem,” he said.
Maged said Israeli military roadblocks and checkpoints, as well as roads damaged by settlers, had further complicated the situation, preventing healthcare workers from reaching their workplaces.
The combined impact of financial hardship and movement restrictions had severely affected staffing at hospitals and primary healthcare clinics, he added.
Meanwhile, Maged extended his Malaysia Day greetings to the Malaysian government and people, expressing appreciation for the country's continued support for Palestine.
“We really cherish our friendly relationship between Palestine and Malaysia. We always count on you,” he said, thanking Malaysia for its assistance to the Palestinian people.
-- BERNAMA