Reply #11: Sounds like the ARC have got their wires crossed.

[Englander]

'Source: Palestinian National Authority (PNA)

Date: 24 Apr 2006

Al Shifa hospital in Gaza might close down if int'l suspension of aid continues

GAZA, Palestine, April 24, 2006 (IPC) - The director of Public Relations at Al Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Jomaa Al Saqqa, warned that the hospital might be threatened of closing within two weeks if the Israeli closure and international suspension of financial aid continued.

Dr. Al Saqqa also referred to the severe shortage in medicines and medical supplies in the hospital, adding that "if this situation continues, most of our departments will shut down in two weeks. Our storage of 200 medicines is about to run out, and we lack basic supplies like bandages and oxygen tubes."

He also listed a large number of medications that are lacking, including antibiotics, cancer treatments or medicines to suppress the body's reaction to transplanted organs, in addition to blood transfusion solutions, spare parts for CAT scanners, and kidney dialysis devices.

"I don't want to sound pessimistic, but we are heading for a disaster … have stopped operating on patients whose lives are endangered, and treat only emergency conditions," the public relations director explained.

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/VBOL-6P6HNN?OpenDocument