Palestinian Health Sector Faces Worsening Funding and Drug Shortages

The Palestinian health system is grappling with a severe crisis marked by escalating shortages of medicines and medical supplies, mounting debt for the Ministry of Health, and a diminished capacity of government facilities to provide regular services. This situation was highlighted by the case of Basmala Al-Zaben, a child with spinal muscular atrophy whose treatment was funded by a public campaign that raised approximately $2.4 million after her father's year-long appeal to the Ministry of Health went unanswered. While the campaign secured the necessary funds for her treatment, government health institutions continue to face financial difficulties directly impacting their ability to procure essential supplies and deliver medical care.

A report by Physicians for Human Rights indicates that 447 out of 590 Ministry of Health facilities have drastically reduced operating hours, with some now functioning only one or two days a week. Primary healthcare centers are operating at about 63% capacity. These cutbacks coincide with a critical lack of basic medications, forcing patients to incur additional expenses for tests and treatments amid growing economic pressures on Palestinian families.

Of the 1,260 types of medications the Ministry of Health is supposed to provide, 160 are completely out of stock, and around 250 others are in insufficient quantities. Stockpiles for nearly 600 items are only sufficient for a short period. Patients with chronic illnesses are particularly affected. One government employee, receiving only half his salary, stated he only gets one or two essential medications from government centers, forcing him to purchase the rest privately at a cost of nearly 500 shekels monthly, despite ongoing health insurance deductions.

Mahand Habash, Executive Director of the Union of Pharmaceutical Suppliers, reported severe shortages in life-saving drugs, surgical supplies, and emergency equipment due to a lack of funding and irregular deliveries. He stated that the Ministry of Health and the Military Medical Services owe approximately 1.4 billion shekels to pharmaceutical and medical supply companies. Only two payments totaling 30 million shekels were made in September, amounts largely covering accumulated bank interest and fees. Habash noted that inconsistent payments have depleted strategic reserves and led to the postponement of about 11,000 surgeries due to shortages in medical and laboratory supplies.

Minister of Health Majed Abu Ramadan's remarks on biological drugs sparked debate. He attributed shortages to high costs and uncertain effectiveness, suggesting resources are prioritized for chronic diseases. However, Palestinian Society of Gastroenterology President argued that biological drugs like infliximab are essential for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients, and halting them could cause severe relapses. Dr. Hazem Abu Sundus, writing in The Lancet, warned of a "silent and catastrophic collapse" in the health system due to financial crises and movement restrictions, particularly affecting oncology and chronic disease departments, with chemotherapy drug stocks depleted by over 50%. Cancer patients also face difficulties obtaining permits for treatment abroad, while local hospitals lack advanced diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. The Ministry of Health warned that approximately 4,000 cancer patients are at risk due to a lack of specialized treatment protocols.

Medical staff are also facing financial hardship and increased pressure. In May 2026, the Palestinian Doctors Syndicate declared an open-ended strike over unpaid full salaries, leading to the closure of several primary care centers and limiting hospital services to emergencies. The strike was later suspended pending government action on agreed-upon terms, but the syndicate has threatened further action, citing non-compliance.