Patients and medical staff at Kamal Adwan Hospital, in the northern Gaza Strip, which has been besieged by the Israeli army for more than 40 days, are living in a catastrophic situation, as Israel prevents the entry of medicine and food or the arrival of ambulances and civil defense services, despite numerous international calls to stop… These violations.
The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced, “The Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip ran out of oxygen and water as a result of the bombing launched by Israeli aircraft against it last night.”
The Ministry explained in a statement, “The bombing led to the destruction of the hospital’s main electrical generator, and punctured the water tanks, leaving the hospital without oxygen or water, which poses a serious threat to the lives of patients and staff working inside the hospital.”
Abu Safiya reported that “58 injured people are currently in the besieged hospital. They are children and women and are receiving the minimum health services, while there are 8 in intensive care in critical condition and 14 children in the children’s department.”
He said: “Malnutrition cases began arriving at the hospital, where 17 children were taken to the emergency room, the condition of one of the premature babies deteriorated, and an elderly man died as a result of severe dehydration.”
According to the hospital director, “The occupation did not stop at that, but directly targeted the medical staff twice, the first in the emergency department and the second in the radiology department, which resulted in serious injuries among them.”
In turn, the director of field hospitals at the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Marwan Al-Hams, warned, “of the danger of death threatening all patients and medical staff at Kamal Adwan Hospital, after the Israeli army targeted the electricity generator and oxygen station.”
“The Israeli bombing on the Gaza Strip a few days ago resulted in the death of at least 90 people, and Israeli drones dropped several bombs towards the Kamal Adwan Hospital yard.”
It is noteworthy that “the number of deaths in the health sector has exceeded 1,050 individuals since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza. The sector has witnessed systematic targeting that has caused 34 hospitals and 80 health centers to be out of service. 134 ambulances have been destroyed and tens of thousands of patients have been deprived of treatment.”
The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced that “the death toll since the start of the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023 rose to 44,056 martyrs, while the number of those infected reached 104,268.”
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What are the main humanitarian challenges currently faced by hospitals in Gaza?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Humanitarian Expert Dr. Sarah Jennings
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Jennings. The situation in Gaza, especially at Kamal Adwan Hospital, is extremely dire. Can you summarize the current conditions faced by patients and medical staff there?
Dr. Sarah Jennings: Thank you for having me. The conditions at Kamal Adwan Hospital are catastrophic. Patients are enduring severe shortages of essential resources like oxygen and water, which have been exacerbated by ongoing bombings. The hospital has been under siege for over 40 days, and the recent attacks have resulted in a failed electrical generator and compromised water tanks, putting countless lives at risk.
Time.news Editor: That sounds harrowing. The Ministry of Health has made alarming announcements regarding the hospital’s state. What are some specific challenges they are facing in treating patients?
Dr. Sarah Jennings: The challenges are immense. We have reports of many patients, including children and women, receiving only the most minimal health services. With 58 injured individuals currently at the hospital, 8 are in intensive care and fighting for their lives. Tragically, malnutrition has become a new crisis, with more cases flooding in every day. In fact, we’ve seen premature infants suffering serious health declines, and there have already been fatalities due to dehydration.
Time.news Editor: Those are shocking details. It raises questions about the broader impact on public health in such a besieged area. How do continuous restrictions on access to medicine and food affect overall healthcare in Gaza?
Dr. Sarah Jennings: The restrictions have a profound impact. When essential supplies cannot enter an area, the healthcare infrastructure collapses. Hospitals like Kamal Adwan are unable to provide basic care, let alone emergency services. The lack of resources leads not only to immediate crises like those we see with patients suffering dehydration or malnutrition, but it also sets the stage for long-term health ramifications, including the potential spread of infectious diseases and increased mortality rates.
Time.news Editor: Given the international calls for action, what can be done to alleviate this situation for the people in Gaza?
Dr. Sarah Jennings: Immediate action is crucial. Humanitarian corridors must be established to ensure that life-saving supplies like food, water, and medical equipment can reach those in need. It’s also vital for international organizations to engage in diplomatic negotiations to pressure all parties involved to respect human rights and allow for medical evacuation when necessary. public awareness and advocacy play crucial roles; the more people know, the more pressure can be placed on governments to intervene.
Time.news Editor: It’s clear that awareness is critical. As someone who has worked in conflict zones, what can you say about the resilience of the medical staff under such pressure?
Dr. Sarah Jennings: The resilience of medical staff is nothing short of inspiring. Despite overwhelming challenges, these healthcare heroes continue to care for their patients, often risking their own lives to do so. They are operating in a state of continual trauma yet remain committed to their duty. However, this cannot continue indefinitely; they need support, both emotionally and materially. Without intervention, these professionals face burnout and psychological tolls that can cripple the healthcare response.
Time.news Editor: That really puts the challenges they face into perspective. Dr. Jennings, thank you for providing insight into this critical situation. What final thoughts do you have for our audience regarding the ongoing crisis?
Dr. Sarah Jennings: I would urge everyone to stay informed and to advocate for humanitarian support for Gaza. The plight of the people affects us all, and we must not turn a blind eye. Each voice counts in raising awareness and pressuring leaders to take action. Solidarity with those in crisis is vital in these challenging times.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Jennings, for your expertise and for shedding light on this pressing issue. We will continue to monitor this situation closely.