Medical officials: Gaza runs out of medicine
international |
miscellaneous |
news report 
Monday December 29, 2008 14:36
by Grace Walsh - IMEMC News
grace_walsh at hotmail dot com
Medical and healthcare services are struggling to cope with the outcome of the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, while the bombing continues.
In a special interview with the IMEMC, Dr Mo'oawiah Hassunin, the Head of the Palestinian Ambulance and Emergency Services in the Health Ministry in Gaza, made an update on the current situation within the health services.
According to Dr Hassunin hospitals in Gaza are operating without medical supplies of any kind, while three of the main hospitals have been badly damaged. The ambulance services are now operating at 50% capacity due to a lack of medical and personnel resources. The entire area is now being serviced by 5 ambulances and 3 fire brigades.
The small amount of medicine that Egypt allowed into Gaza lasted just a few hours.
Dr Hussanin confirmed the number dead to be at 312, though this is steadily increasing as bodies are removed from rubble and the bombing of the region continues by the Israelis.