Medical doctors in Gaza describe growing needs in overcrowded shelters
International
Medical doctors working with mobile health units in Gaza, operated by the Middle East Council of Churches Department of Services to Palestinian Refugees, described the serious needs they are seeing among people who don’t have enough safe water, food or medicines
Medical doctors working with mobile health units in Gaza, operated by the Middle East Council of Churches Department of Services to Palestinian Refugees, described the serious needs they are seeing among people who don’t have enough safe water, food, or medicines.
Health consultant Dr Bassam Abu Hamad described people with war injuries as well as people with diseases resulting from the deterioration of living conditions, especially overcrowding.
“You will see more than 100 people living together in a classroom,” he said.
“In addition to that we see a lot of cases associated with malnutrition and food insecurity.”
Finding a secure source of food has become a grave challenge, he added.
“Many people present with signs of anemia, and signs of malnutrition, in addition to diseases resulting from stress—chronic diseases like hypertension,” he said.
“Those who already have these diseases, their condition becomes uncontrolled and has deteriorated.”
There is also a severe shortage of medicines for both physical and mental illnesses, he said.
“There is a severe shortage of drugs needed for cancer, and even for antibiotics for the children,” he said.
“In terms of equipment, it’s even more complicated because the healthcare system has been destroyed. Many ambulances have been completely destroyed.”
Through it all, Hamad has tried to keep up the moral of the medical staff.
“They sacrifice themselves to help people really in need of services,” he said.
“Please pray for us, pray for peace.”
He also asked for prayers for the freedom of Palestine.
“Pray for a ceasefire to become a reality,” he said.
“Please pray that no one on earth will be oppressed.”
Health and psychosocial programs coordinator Lubna Yousif Sabbah described injuries from gunshots and missile fragments.
“For health needs, what we are seeing now are the need for complementary feeding and supplements for children under five, and pregnant and lactating women who suffer from malnutrition due to food insecurity and starvation,” said Sabbah.
“We need medicines to treat patients who suffer from infectious diseases, and many other diseases due to crowded shelters.”
They also lack access to safe, clean water, said Sabbah.
“We need medicines for patients with chronic diseases; multivitamins and supplements for patients who suffer from anemia and malnutrition; and medical supplies and consumables used for dressing the injured, for disinfection and prevention,” added Sabbah.
“Fuel is essential to operate the medical points.”
Despite the lack of resources, Sabbah said the healthcare providers are not losing hope.
“We encourage ourselves that we should continue to help and serve people in need,” said Sabbah.
“You can pray to end this war and violence against innocent people in Gaza. Pray that peace, prosperity, and justice may prevail.”
First published on the World Council of Churches website on 24 June 2024.
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