Gaza’s healthcare system is facing a severe crisis, struggling to function under the weight of ongoing assaults and resource shortages. Medical professionals at al-Shifa Hospital report overwhelming patient inflow, with cases ranging from acute trauma to chronic illnesses exacerbated by the ongoing lack of medical supplies and treatment options. The hospital’s emergency ward operates with only a fraction of its original staff, highlighting the dire situation healthcare workers endure daily.
The conditions within al-Shifa Hospital reflect a larger narrative across Gaza, where only three out of 29 medical departments are partially operational. Most facilities have been severely damaged or destroyed, and the few remaining staff members, including nurses and doctors, often volunteer their time without pay. Some receive sporadic, nominal compensation from aid organizations, but many work without any financial support. The realities of their personal lives are equally grim; many return to homes ravaged by conflict, lacking basic utilities such as electricity, heating, and running water.
Despite a ceasefire that took effect over two months ago, hospitals in Gaza resemble battlefields. Medical teams operate under extreme pressure, with patients queuing for unavailable medications and surgeries postponed indefinitely due to equipment shortages. Hospital occupancy rates have surged, often exceeding capacity in multiple departments. The urgent need for essential medicines, ventilators, and functioning operating rooms complicates the already critical situation.
According to the United Nations, approximately 350,000 individuals in Gaza suffer from chronic illnesses and many cannot access their regular treatments. Additionally, there are over 42,000 patients with life-altering injuries requiring surgeries or long-term rehabilitation, which is currently unavailable. The plight of around 16,000 patients needing urgent medical evacuation is particularly harrowing, as nearly 1,100 have died while awaiting necessary treatment.
Despite these challenges, attacks on civilians have continued, with at least 411 individuals killed and 1,112 injured since the ceasefire began on October 10. Essential medicines, including cancer treatments and antibiotics, remain blocked from entering Gaza, exacerbating the health crisis. The toll on medical professionals has been immense; reports indicate that at least 1,722 healthcare workers have lost their lives since the onset of the conflict.
The emotional and physical strain on those still providing care is profound. Many healthcare workers have lost loved ones or their homes, yet they return to their duties amid unspeakable grief. One nurse at al-Shifa Hospital described the haunting memories that accompany their work: “I carry my grief with me in my pocket, among the instruments and bandages. Sometimes I treat a child who looks like my own son, and I have to hide my tears.” Another colleague poignantly stated, “We don’t work in a hospital; we’re on a battlefield, fighting against time and death.”
The dedication of these medical workers is commendable, yet they cannot continue without urgent assistance. There is a pressing need to restore Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, replenish medical supplies, and ensure that personnel can operate effectively.
It is clear that Gaza does not require further statements or expressions of concern; it requires immediate action. The healthcare system must be revitalized to ensure the right to treatment for all. As the situation deteriorates, the international community is called upon to respond decisively.
The health of Gazans is at stake, and the time for action is now. Palestinian lives matter, and the healthcare system must be saved to uphold their dignity and right to medical care.
