The Embassy of Palestine in India has appealed to the Indian government to provide urgent medical assistance to Palestinians, warning that healthcare systems in Gaza and the occupied West Bank are nearing collapse due to severe shortages of medicines and medical supplies.
In a statement, the embassy called on India to extend support through Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Aarogya Maitri" initiative, which provides essential medical supplies to countries facing humanitarian emergencies and disasters.
"Recently, the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India announced the 'Aarogya Maitri' project, where he pledged that India would provide essential medical supplies to any developing country affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises," the embassy said.
"It is the exact moment to save thousands of innocent lives. If not India and the Indian people, then who? If not now, then when?" it added.
The embassy urged the Indian government, humanitarian organisations, medical institutions, and civil society groups to help ensure the immediate delivery of humanitarian and medical assistance.
According to the statement, the Palestinian healthcare sector requires life-saving medicines and medical supplies worth $100 million. Citing World Health Organization data, the embassy said only 19 of Gaza's 36 hospitals remain partially operational and that the health system has reached a "breaking point".
The embassy reported critical shortages of anaesthesia, antibiotics, dialysis supplies, blood units, insulin, surgical equipment, and fuel needed to operate hospital generators.
It also warned of deteriorating public health conditions caused by overcrowded displacement camps, lack of clean water, collapsed sanitation systems, and bodies remaining trapped under rubble.
The statement said nearly 180 of the 520 essential medicines required by the Palestinian Ministry of Health are unavailable, while 50 of the 97 cancer medicines have run out completely, placing nearly 4,000 cancer patients at immediate risk.
Palestinian health authorities said on Thursday that 73,018 Palestinians have been killed and 173,273 wounded since October 7, 2023. They also reported that 1,007 people have been killed and 3,165 wounded since a ceasefire took effect on October 11, while rescue teams have recovered 784 bodies from previously inaccessible areas.