Depleted medical supplies in Gaza threaten patients' survival amid conflict, restrictions

Gaza's healthcare system is facing an acute shortage of essential drugs and medical supplies due to the ongoing Israeli attacks and restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, dramatically increasing the suffering of Palestinian patients and reducing their chances of survival.

Palestinian health authorities say 60 percent of essential medicines and more than 80 percent of medical supplies it lists as necessary to run operating rooms in the Gaza Strip have run out of stock.

Nasser Medical Complex in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis was recently forced to shut down a number of its main operating rooms due to a lack of necessary medical supplies. Dr. Kifah Toman, director of the hospital's drug dispensaries, said this has significantly increased the death rate among patients.

"Open-heart surgeries and cardiac catheterization have completely stopped, which has led to many deaths, as well as the failure to perform kidney dialysis for patients due to the severe shortage of a kidney dialysis agent and the medical supplies needed for kidney dialysis," said Toman.

Abd Hassan is one of thousands of wounded Palestinians whose lives are threatened by the severe shortage of medicines. He suffers increased pain due to a lack of even basic painkillers. The situation is made worse by the continued closure of the Rafah land crossing and the prevention of the injured from traveling for treatment outside Gaza.

"The treatment for my condition is not available here. I've been waiting for two months to travel for treatment abroad, but the occupation prevents this and imposes strict and unjustified restrictions on the travel of patients to receive treatment. We are asking for our most basic right, which is treatment," Hassan said.

Displaced elderly Palestinians and patients with cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease suffer from a shortage of regular medical supplies needed to treat their conditions, posing a significant threat to their health.

"My life is at risk, like many people with chronic diseases. We search from one place to another in hospitals. We've not been able to find aspirin for two months, nor even the Visacor to expand the arteries," said Khaled Al-Soussi, a patient.

The United Nations reports that there are no hospitals operating at full capacity in Gaza. The World Health Organization has warned that hospitals lack sufficient supplies, forcing doctors to perform amputations on injured people due to a lack of treatments that could save their limbs.

Depleted medical supplies in Gaza threaten patients' survival amid conflict, restrictions

Depleted medical supplies in Gaza threaten patients' survival amid conflict, restrictions

Depleted medical supplies in Gaza threaten patients' survival amid conflict, restrictions

Depleted medical supplies in Gaza threaten patients' survival amid conflict, restrictions

Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.

Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.

More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.

Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.

"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.

During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.

"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.

In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.

With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.

"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.

Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition