Health in Gaza: Acute Shortage of Prevention Services and Breast Cancer Treatment in the Sector

SadaNews - The Ministry of Health in Gaza stated that for the second consecutive year, women in Gaza are deprived of early detection protocols and programs for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer.

It added: The effectiveness of the implemented preventive protocols cannot be determined due to the destruction of primary care centers and diagnostic examination and imaging departments.

It noted: Women who were diagnosed with the disease before and during the war do not have the minimum requirements for specialized treatment and medical follow-up.

It continued: Cancer medications are among the most affected services due to the crisis of drug and medical supplies shortages, especially for breast cancer.

It added: The low levels of proper and comprehensive nutrition have had catastrophic effects on women suffering from the disease.

It explained that the healthcare system in Gaza lacks the elements of prevention, control, early detection methods, and case monitoring, which contradicts international health trends.

It stated that a number of women with breast cancer are in urgent need of radiation therapy, which is unavailable in the Gaza Strip, and they are forbidden from traveling abroad to receive it.

It pointed out that the closure of crossings, the prevention of medications, the destruction of specialized treatment centers, and the deterioration of the economic and living conditions exacerbate the health situation of many cases.