Gaza health ministry warns of blood bank critical shortage
8/19/2025 3:16:15 PM
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza has warned of severe shortages in laboratory materials and blood bank supplies, saying many essential tests are running out or have already stopped.
In a press release, the ministry said 49 percent of laboratory testing materials are out of stock, while 60.3 percent of the remaining basic materials will last less than a month.
More than half of laboratory consumables and supplies are also expected to run out within weeks.
The ministry said many basic tests in operating rooms and intensive care units “have run out or are about to run out.” Materials needed to test blood drug levels for kidney and liver transplant patients “have run out,” it added.
Testing materials for complete blood counts are “sufficient for only a limited number of days”. Supplies for viral blood testing, including HBsAg, HCV and HIV, are also expected to last only days, raising “a risk of unsafe blood transfusions”.
The statement added that around 45 percent of laboratory equipment has been damaged or destroyed and is in urgent need of maintenance and spare parts.
In a press release, the ministry said 49 percent of laboratory testing materials are out of stock, while 60.3 percent of the remaining basic materials will last less than a month.
More than half of laboratory consumables and supplies are also expected to run out within weeks.
The ministry said many basic tests in operating rooms and intensive care units “have run out or are about to run out.” Materials needed to test blood drug levels for kidney and liver transplant patients “have run out,” it added.
Testing materials for complete blood counts are “sufficient for only a limited number of days”. Supplies for viral blood testing, including HBsAg, HCV and HIV, are also expected to last only days, raising “a risk of unsafe blood transfusions”.
The statement added that around 45 percent of laboratory equipment has been damaged or destroyed and is in urgent need of maintenance and spare parts.