Gaza hospitals ‘overwhelmed’ with patients amid severe shortage of medication
Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex
The Palestine Chronicle reports on 6 January 2026:
Hospitals in Gaza face a critical situation despite the ceasefire agreement, with a surge in patient numbers, severe shortage of medication and daily deaths, according to Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of the Al-Shifa medical complex.
In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Dr. Abu Salmiya said that the number of injuries resulting from Israeli bombings has decreased, “there has been a significant increase in hospital admissions due to the current severe flu outbreak” in Gaza, “which is disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable groups.”
These include the sick, elderly, pregnant women, and children under a year old, he added. Hospitals “are now overwhelmed” with these patients, with patient occupancy rates now “over 150%.”
Lack of Medication
Given the lack of medication, he emphasized, “the stage we are currently experiencing is one of the worst in this war of extermination.”
Hospitals are currently operating at over 150% of their capacity, amidst a severe shortage of medications and medical supplies, he stated.
Dr Abu Salmiya said more than 55 percent of essential medications and 70 percent of medical supplies are unavailable, stressing that some medical specialties are experiencing shortages exceeding 100 percent. This, he noted, is hindering the provision of necessary care, even for emergency cases. In addition, nearly 50 percent of kidney dialysis patients are without their medications, with daily deaths continuing due to the unavailability of over 70 percent of the drugs required.
He noted that cancer patients are facing a similar shortage that threatens their lives, while “tens of thousands” of scheduled surgeries have been halted due to the prevention of essential medical supplies from entering the hospital, particularly for orthopedic, thoracic, and vascular surgeries.