Erythropoietin hormone Shortage Threatens the Lives of Kidney Patients in Gaza
Ministry of Health (MOH)-Gaza declared Erythropoietin injections are out of stock at its warehouses. These injections are the most important type of treatment for kidney patients, especially those suffering from anemia due to kidney failure.
Dr. Alaa Helles, Hospital Pharmacy Department Director at the General Administration at MOH, stated that Erythropoietin injections at the MOH’s warehouses are at zero stock.
Helles emphasized that the Kidney failure patients in the Gaza Strip are in dire need of about 10,000 monthly doses of the hormone erythropoietin, including 8,000 doses designated for hemodialysis patients and 2,000 doses for renal failure patients.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Qishawi, Head of the Artificial Kidneys’ Department at Al-Shifa Hospital, said that the shortage of Erythropoietin injections will endanger the lives of hundreds of kidney patients, who might need blood transfusions continuously. He affirmed that these injections are important for all renal failure and dialysis patients.
Qishawi added that failure to provide these injections for kidney patients may cause anemia and affect the heart and their general health. Qishawi called for supplying the Gaza MOH with these injections as quickly as possible to maintain the health and safety of dialysis patients and other patients who have not reached the stage of dialysis.