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Inadequate infrastructure, lack of equipment and a shortage of hospital staff are contributing to the deterioration of hospital care for mothers and newborns in Gaza, according to a July 2009 assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Jerusalem.
WHO attributes the dismal state of Gaza's healthcare system to the Israeli blockade since June 2007, when Hamas took over control of the territory.
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"Ten types of essential medications for maternal care, like Prostin gel that induces labour, are out of stock," said Munir Al-Bursh, head of Gaza's Department of Pharmaceuticals, adding that they were unable to import spare parts for ultra-sound equipment and Computed Tomography (CT) scanners.
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Shlomo Dror, a spokesperson for Israel's Ministry of Defence, said: "Medical supplies have priority , and secondly is food from international organizations. There is a government decision not to allow a humanitarian crisis to occur in Gaza."
The Israeli Defence Ministry says it is not obliged to allow into Gaza anything other than basic humanitarian supplies necessary for survival, and is concerned certain medical technologies could be used for other more sinister means.http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=220590
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