Gaza health group says almost half of kidney patients have already died

The Medical Relief Society in Gaza says the health system is collapsing beyond repair, warning that almost half of all kidney patients in the territory have already died.

“There are 350,000 diabetic patients who no longer receive any medical follow-up,” the organisation’s director told Al Jazeera, describing the situation as “uncontrolled medical abandonment created by the siege”.

“We have lost 40 percent of kidney patients in the sector,” he said, adding that dialysis supplies have virtually run out under Israel’s blockade.

He urged immediate international pressure on Israel to allow critically ill patients to leave Gaza for treatment, saying every delay is a death sentence.