GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP — An emergency medical team coordinator has highlighted the dire conditions faced by hospitals in the war-torn Palestinian territory. During his five-week stay, he witnessed patients with severe burns and open fractures waiting for extended periods for treatment. The situation in Gaza has become so desperate that some patients even begged for food and water. The coordinator, Sean Casey, disclosed that out of the original 36 hospitals in Gaza, he could only visit six that were still functioning.
The deterioration of the healthcare system is rapidly worsening, along with a decline in humanitarian access to various areas, particularly in the northern part of Gaza. Casey described the grim reality of patients who, with no access to fuel, power or water, were essentially waiting to perish. Despite consistent efforts to deliver vital supplies and fuel, these requests were consistently denied, exacerbating the already overwhelmed hospitals. The hospitals are grappling with an influx of patients while operating at minimal capacity due to limited staffing. Casey shared stories of hospital directors informing him that their surgeons were unable to perform surgeries as they were busy collecting sticks to burn for their families.
Casey echoed the calls for a ceasefire, emphasizing that it was the most critical need in Gaza. Without a cessation of hostilities, efforts to address the worsening conditions are merely temporary and reactive. During his visit to the Nasser medical complex, Casey witnessed the overwhelming reality faced by medical staff. With only 30% of the original staff remaining and patient capacity exceeding 200%, patients were relegated to corridors and floors, straining the already strained resources. In the burn unit, a single physician was left to care for an astonishing 100 patients.
The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza is escalating by the day, contributing to the continued collapse of the healthcare system. Casey’s observations shed light on the urgent need for immediate action to alleviate the suffering endured by the Palestinian population. The harrowing testimonies from hospital staff exemplify the dire circumstances faced not only by patients but also by medical professionals struggling to provide proper care amidst the devastation. As the situation worsens, the call for a ceasefire grows ever more urgent, as it remains the only viable solution to this ongoing catastrophe.