Oxygen Shortages Deepen Pressure on Gaza Hospitals

(MENAFN) Medical staff at Gaza’s Nasser Medical Complex are struggling to manage a worsening oxygen supply crisis that threatens critical care services inside one of the territory’s largest operational hospitals, according to reports.

Doctors and nurses are reportedly monitoring oxygen systems and ventilators around the clock as pressure levels fluctuate in intensive care wards and neonatal units. Premature infants in incubators and critically ill patients dependent on respiratory support are among the most vulnerable as concerns grow over potential supply interruptions.

Hospital officials said the facility’s primary oxygen-generation station recently stopped functioning because of technical problems and shortages of essential operating materials. A secondary backup system is still functioning, but only at limited capacity, raising fears that it could also fail.

According to Ismail Abu Nimr, head of engineering and maintenance at the hospital, the backup station remains under strain and may not be able to sustain operations for long under current conditions.

Reports from the hospital showed large numbers of empty oxygen cylinders waiting to be refilled, underscoring the scale of the shortage and the pressure facing emergency and critical care departments.

Palestinian health authorities have repeatedly warned that restrictions on the entry of medicines, medical equipment, spare parts, and related supplies are severely affecting Gaza’s healthcare system and limiting hospitals’ ability to maintain essential services.

Officials also said shortages of replacement components for machinery, vehicles, and medical infrastructure are increasing the risk of wider service breakdowns across the territory’s already overstretched health sector.

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