Gaza doctors face tough decisions as patients face long waits for diagnoses

What the report says

Doctors and laboratory staff at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, are struggling to diagnose and monitor patients because of severe shortages in testing supplies and damage to medical infrastructure, Al Jazeera reported on 29 Sep. The article says key services have been disrupted by the war and siege on Gaza, including blood gas testing, blood-collection materials, and much of the automated equipment used for clinical chemistry work.

Hospital staff told Al Jazeera that test requests are now being triaged, with priority given to people with kidney disease, cancer, heart conditions and patients in intensive care. In some cases, doctors turn to private laboratories when patients can pay, or rely on physical exams and basic monitoring even though those methods cannot fully replace laboratory or imaging tests. The report also says only five of Gaza’s 18 CT scanners are still operating, while MRI services have stopped after the destruction of nine machines.

The shortage is affecting patients with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. A kidney patient quoted by the outlet described fear that dialysis supplies or machines could fail, while hospital officials said cancer patients face drug shortages and limited access to treatment outside Gaza. Al Jazeera also cited ministry of health warnings that blood banks and laboratories could shut down if breakdowns and shortages continue.

More broadly, the article highlights how limited diagnostics can delay treatment decisions and make it harder for doctors to adjust medications or confirm diagnoses. In the context of Gaza’s battered health system, the story underscores how supply shortages are adding to the risks faced by patients with ongoing medical needs.