The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) appealed on Thursday to the PA President, Mahmoud Abbas, to intervene to save the lives of 450 kidney patients in the Gaza Strip as their lives are endangered due to the lack of Dialysis filers.

“According to investigations conducted by PCHR, on Thursday at noon, 15 December 2011, blood filters ran out at all hospitals in the Gaza Strip, and consequently, dialyses for 450 patients who suffer from renal failure have been stopped.”

“In the aftermath of this serious development, PCHR participated in a meeting that was held in the office of World Health Organization in Gaza to discuss the serious impacts of the lack of this disposable on the lives of patients. The meeting was attended by figures and international and local organizations that are involved in the health sector.

“The participants have concluded that the lack of this disposable seriously endangers the lives of patients, and its lack is the outcome of political differences between the Ministries of Health in Ramallah and Gaza. They have attempted to find mechanisms to provide this disposable but they have not been able as it is fully depleted in medical warehouses and pharmacies, especially in the Gaza Strip. This disposable is available only in the warehouses of the Ministry of Health in Ramallah.

“PCHR expresses utmost concern for the lives of these patients, and appeals to President Mahmoud Abbas to immediately intervene and instruct the Ministry of Health in Ramallah to provide blood filters to the Gaza Strip immediately and regularly.”

PIC/AB