Collapse of laboratory capabilities in Gaza.. Health Ministry demands urgent intervention

The Ministry of Health in Gaza warned of an unprecedented collapse in laboratory capabilities, stating that 52% of laboratory equipment has been completely destroyed, and 30% of the remaining equipment is dilapidated and lacks spare parts, threatening the ability of medical teams to diagnose and monitor thousands of patients, and called for urgent intervention to introduce modern equipment.

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip warned on Sunday of an unprecedented collapse in basic laboratory capabilities, stressing that medical laboratories face a crisis threatening the continuation of diagnostic services and monitoring of thousands of patients. The ministry explained in a statement that 52% of all medical laboratory equipment has been destroyed and completely out of service, while the remaining equipment suffers from dilapidation, frequent malfunctions, and a severe shortage of spare parts. It indicated that about 30% of the operating equipment is dilapidated and lacks spare parts, putting it at risk of complete shutdown. It confirmed that chemical testing devices, a key component of laboratory work, are in urgent need of replacement. The ministry called for immediate intervention to introduce modern laboratory equipment and spare parts to save what remains of the laboratory system. This crisis comes amid a continued severe shortage of medical supplies and equipment in Gaza, exacerbating pressures on hospitals.