Gaza’s Healthcare Crisis: A Stark Reality for Emergency Medical Teams
The situation for medical personnel operating in Gaza is increasingly dire, surpassing even the challenges faced in Afghanistan, according to Alessandro Manno, Project Manager for Emergency. Access to essential medical supplies is severely restricted, creating a critical environment for both patients and healthcare providers.
The Al-Qarara Clinic: A Lifeline Under Strain
Emergency opened a clinic in al-Qarara, near Khan Yunis, last year. This daytime clinic serves a significant population, with a staff of two doctors, two nurses, and two support personnel, supplemented by a local team of forty. The clinic focuses on primary healthcare needs, currently dominated by respiratory infections, skin diseases linked to poor hygiene, and managing chronic conditions – all complicated by the lack of medication, and staff.
The clinic routinely handles between 200 and 250 patients daily, sometimes reaching 300 during relatively calm periods. However, when attacks occur, medical staff must prioritize urgent cases, neglecting routine healthcare needs. Emergency medical teams are also treating gunshot wounds and injuries from explosions.
Supply Chain Breakdown: The Core of the Problem
The most significant obstacle is the lack of consistent access to medical supplies. Even as food aid has recently been authorized, medicines, water, fuel, and essential medical equipment remain blocked. Emergency has been relying on stockpiles built up during a brief ceasefire between January 19th and March 1st, utilizing donations from the World Health Organization and painstakingly secured shipments.
Since March, critical supplies like antibiotics, needles, bandages, and other necessities have not been replenished. This scarcity impacts even basic procedures, such as wound disinfection. Simple necessities like paper for patient records are also unavailable, forcing the leverage of tablets – which then require a power source.
Improvisation and Resilience in the Face of Adversity
The lack of electricity in Gaza necessitates creative solutions. Emergency teams are utilizing scarce and expensive solar panels to charge tablets, highlighting the constant require for improvisation. Even securing food for staff has been a challenge, though the situation is slowly improving with the limited re-entry of humanitarian aid.
Did you know? Emergency has operated in Afghanistan for thirty years, gaining extensive experience in providing medical care during conflict. However, the logistical challenges in Gaza are proving to be more complex.
The Wider Context: A Collapsing Healthcare System
The broader Palestinian healthcare system is on the brink of collapse due to ongoing conflict. The al-Qarara clinic is forced to manage a high volume of patients, and lacks the capacity for surgical interventions or long-term hospitalization. Patients requiring further care must be transferred elsewhere, adding to the strain on already overwhelmed facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Emergency doing to address the supply shortages?
A: Emergency is relying on existing stockpiles and actively working to secure shipments of medical supplies, navigating complex authorization processes.
Q: What types of injuries are Emergency medical teams treating in Gaza?
A: They are treating injuries from gunshots, explosions, and shrapnel, as well as providing care for chronic conditions and common illnesses.
Q: Is the situation in Gaza worse than in other conflict zones?
A: According to Alessandro Manno, the challenges in Gaza, particularly regarding access to supplies, are greater than those faced by Emergency in Afghanistan.
Pro Tip: Supporting organizations like Emergency is crucial for providing immediate medical assistance and advocating for improved humanitarian access to Gaza.
Learn more about Emergency’s work in Gaza: https://www.emergency.it/what-we-do/where-we-work/gaza/
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