The state of healthcare in Gaza is reaching a critical level, with doctors reporting shortages of painkillers, anaesthetics, and medical supplies. The World Health Organization (WHO) has described the situation as “beyond words”, with 23 hospitals in Gaza not functioning at all, and others operating at over 300% of their bed capacity.
In a statement to the BBC, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has claimed that Hamas “systematically uses hospitals and medical centres for its terror activities”. The IDF also mentioned that it was allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, including medical supplies.
The shortage of medical supplies has created a dire situation for healthcare workers, who are struggling to treat patients with severe injuries and chronic conditions. Hospitals are overcrowded, and some are operating at minimal capacity with limited resources.
Doctors have shared harrowing stories of operating on patients without anaesthetic, leaving patients to scream for hours due to a shortage of painkillers, and treating rotting wounds with inadequate supplies. Some hospitals have been raided by the Israeli forces, further straining an already under-resourced healthcare system.
The current situation in Gaza has put a significant strain on healthcare workers, who are separated from their families and coping with the overwhelming number and types of injuries they are receiving. With limited supplies and overcrowded hospitals, patients are not receiving the necessary care, and those with chronic conditions are being turned away.
The plight of healthcare in Gaza is a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention and support. The impact of the ongoing conflict on the healthcare system is taking a toll on both patients and healthcare workers, and the situation is only getting worse. The international community must step in to provide the necessary aid and resources to address this critical issue.
