Gaza's health ministry warns of rising blindness cases amid healthcare shutdown

The Gaza-based health ministry on Sunday warned of a sharp increase in cases of blindness due to a severe shortage of medical supplies and equipment, as the health system continues to deteriorate amid Israel's ferocious attacks.

In a press statement, the health ministry said that approximately 1,500 people have lost their vision since the start of the war in October 2023, while nearly 4,000 others are at risk of blindness due to the collapse of ophthalmic services.

The ministry added that the entire health sector in Gaza is under "unprecedented pressure," as most hospitals and clinics have been damaged or forced to shut down due to Israeli airstrikes and shortages in fuel and medical supplies.

The ministry urged the United Nations and international humanitarian agencies to intervene immediately to prevent the collapse of the health system in Gaza.  

Abdel Salam Sabah, director of the Gaza Eye Hospital, said in a press statement that the facility is suffering from a lack of basic surgical tools, including equipment used for retinal operations and essential materials such as surgical threads and helium gas.

"The remaining tools are being reused excessively, increasing the risk of contamination and threatening patients' lives," Sabah added. 

He explained that "the hospital currently operates with only three worn-out surgical scissors, making further eye surgeries nearly impossible."

He warned that the hospital may soon suspend all surgical procedures unless international organisations provide emergency medical aid.

International humanitarian organisations have repeatedly warned that Gaza's health system is functioning far below minimum standards, hindered by a blockade that continues to restrict the entry of vital humanitarian aid.

Local medical sources said that eye injuries caused by explosions and shrapnel are one of the most common outcomes of the conflict, particularly affecting children and women.