In Gaza, ongoing medical emergencies continue to pose critical threats to many lives. Currently, approximately 15,000 patients urgently require medical evacuations, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Among them are two ten-year-old boys receiving treatment at Nasser Hospital: one has been paralyzed due to gunfire, and the other has a brain tumor.
A fragile ceasefire is in place, but families and healthcare providers express urgent needs for more medical assistance. For example, Amar Abu Said, aged 10, suffered paralysis after being struck by a stray bullet from an Israeli drone. His mother, Ola Abu Said, emphasizes the necessity of urgent surgery, which poses considerable risks without a well-equipped facility.
Many patients, including children, are facing dire health crises. Shahd, the sister of ten-year-old Ahmed al-Jadd, notes that he has fallen ill recently, with symptoms including a drooping mouth and inability to move his right hand. Shahd hopes for treatment abroad, especially after the ceasefire provided a glimpse of hope.
The WHO recently coordinated a medical convoy that transported 41 patients and their caregivers via Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing to hospitals abroad. However, WHO representatives urge for increased evacuations to address the high volume of urgent medical cases. The agency seeks to utilize the Rafah border crossing with Egypt for this purpose but faces challenges, as Israel restricts access until Hamas meets specific commitments related to the ceasefire.
The healthcare conditions in Gaza remain critical, with ongoing concerns about patients waiting for treatment. Reports indicate that the Hamas-run health ministry has documented significant mortality rates among those on waiting lists. In light of these challenges, medical professionals express frustration over their inability to provide essential care despite possessing the diagnostic capabilities.
The situation highlights the urgent need for a solution that addresses the medical needs of the population efficiently and effectively.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cze61zg7zzpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss