Gaza Parents Face Tough Decision Between Dental Treatment and Food

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Dental Treatment Out of Reach for Many Palestinians in Gaza

A 50-year-old man from Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, identified as Murad Haji, has been experiencing severe tooth pain. He recently visited a dentist, Liza Hassouna, who explained that the Israeli siege on Gaza has led to shortages of dental materials, causing treatment costs to rise significantly.

Haji was quoted $142 for dental treatment, which he deemed unaffordable due to escalating food costs. As a result, he had to return to the clinic multiple times for treatment, leading to increased pain and complications. Hassouna stated that many patients come to her clinic only after their condition has worsened due to financial constraints.

The shortage of dental materials has resulted in inflated prices for procedures such as tooth extractions. Clinic manager Dr. Nidal al-Sindi reported a sharp increase in costs for essential supplies, including anaesthetic and dental impressions. For example, a box of anaesthetic that previously cost $53 now costs $178, while dental impressions have risen from $53 to between $1,778-$2,133.

The clinic is struggling to provide consistent care due to the high demand and limited supply of materials. Hassouna noted that patients often rely on painkillers or live with their pain until it becomes unbearable. The clinic’s workload has increased as a result of the economic crisis in Gaza, which was exacerbated by Israel’s recent actions.

The Israeli restrictions on importing supplies have contributed to the shortage of dental equipment and materials. Local suppliers are taking advantage of the situation to increase prices, making treatment unaffordable for most patients. Hassouna emphasized that her clinic is facing a daily struggle to balance medical requirements with limited supplies.

Haji’s case is not an isolated incident, and Hassouna sees patients every day making difficult choices between medical treatment and meeting their basic household needs. The clinic is doing its best to provide care despite the challenges posed by the economic crisis in Gaza.

Source: Al Jazeera