Working and Surviving Amidst Israeli Bombings: A Day in Gaza Hospital
In the heart of the Gaza Strip, the healthcare system is struggling to cope with the demands of the ongoing conflict with Israel. Hospitals are operating at multiple times their capacity, straining already depleted resources.
According to recent reports, approximately 52% of essential medicines and 68% of medical consumables are at zero stock in Gaza hospitals. Life-saving medicines are nearly or completely out of stock, affecting treatment of injuries and chronic diseases. Medical consumables such as bandages, syringes, and intravenous fluids are largely unavailable.
The situation is critical, with many hospitals out of service or only partially functioning. Blood and plasma supplies are critically low due to high numbers of injuries, especially from increased attacks at food distribution points. Equipment and infrastructure damage are prevalent, with about 50% of hospitals not functioning optimally.
The healthcare staff is also under strain. The shortage of healthcare personnel due to the conflict's toll on health workers has left hospitals understaffed and overwhelmed by both war injuries and patients with chronic conditions unable to access regular care.
The intense siege and blockade have disrupted supply chains, preventing adequate delivery of medical supplies, further exacerbating the crisis. International organizations have medical supplies ready to enter Gaza, but access remains highly restricted by the blockade.
After six weeks of siege and Israeli attacks, only nine out of the 35 hospitals in the Strip are still operational. These hospitals are functioning partially, with constant power cuts and shortages of medical supplies. In many emergencies, doctors operate without anesthesia, especially in amputations.
The WHO has registered around 70,000 cases of acute respiratory infections, 44,000 cases of diarrhea, 800 of chickenpox, and almost 11,000 of scabies and lice. The poor sanitary conditions, combined with recent cold rains, could lead to an increase in childhood pneumonia.
Amidst this chaos, stories of resilience emerge. The Martyrs Hospital of al-Aqsa, located in the city of Deir al-Balah, has been used as a temporary orphanage for children with no surviving family due to the Israeli attacks. Ibrahim Matar, a general physician at the Martyrs Hospital of al-Aqsa, has had to deal with situations he never imagined in his short career.
The current crisis has taken a toll on healthcare workers in Gaza. Many are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. What is needed is a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
During the recent four-day ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas, more humanitarian aid will be able to enter the Gaza Strip, allowing for the transfer of patients abroad, less pressure and number of injured, and supplies to enter. The Martyrs Hospital of al-Aqsa, operating day by day with horror and death so close, is hoping for a peaceful future.
References:
- Al Jazeera
- Medical Aid for Palestinians
- World Health Organization
- Physicians for Human Rights
- Medical Teams International
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