The health system in Gaza, once considered one of the leading medical models in the region, has become a victim of systematic genocide carried out by the Israeli occupation. The Al-Shifa Medical Complex, which was regarded as the health safety valve in the sector, has suffered near-total destruction since the aggression began on October 7, 2023, leading to a loss of the ability to provide basic healthcare.
Al-Shifa spanned an area of 48 dunams and included three major hospitals, along with numerous departments and laboratories. It used to receive around 1,000 patients daily and performed approximately 32,000 surgeries annually, including cardiac catheterizations and organ transplants. However, the situation changed drastically after the onset of the aggression, as the complex was directly targeted.
Details of the Event
In the early hours of the war, Al-Shifa received an overwhelming number of casualties, with the number of martyrs and injured exceeding the capacity of any health system in the world. In just one day, the complex received around 1,000 martyrs and more than 2,500 injured. As pressures increased, the occupation began systematically targeting the complex, bombing its essential buildings, including the maternity and outpatient clinics.
On November 10, 2023, the occupation forces imposed a siege on the hospital, leading to power and water cuts and preventing the entry of medical supplies. The complex also faced repeated incursions by Israeli soldiers, resulting in the arrest of many medical personnel and the shutdown of entire departments.
Background & Context
Historically, Gaza has witnessed numerous wars and assaults, but what is happening today is considered the most destructive. According to the Deputy Minister of Health, Maher Shamiya, the health genocide in Gaza represents the largest depletion and medical draining operation in the sector's history, with 18 out of 38 hospitals completely out of service.
The losses from the health genocide are estimated at over $7 billion, while Gaza has lost 1,701 medical personnel, in addition to the arrest of 363 others. Approximately 700 doctors have left the sector during the war, exacerbating the health crisis.
Impact & Consequences
The health system has been significantly affected, with clinical capacity declining to critical levels. The number of dialysis machines has dropped to only 93 machines out of 170, while the ambulance fleet has lost more than half of its vehicles. Laboratories have also been severely damaged, with 48.1% of equipment destroyed, negatively impacting the ability to control epidemics.
The effects of this genocide are evident in people's lives, as hundreds of cancer patients and dialysis patients have died due to a lack of medicines and medical supplies. There are approximately 19,000 patients on waiting lists for medical transfers for treatment abroad, reflecting the scale of the humanitarian disaster faced by the residents of Gaza.
Regional Significance
These events serve as a wake-up call for the Arab world and the international community regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. What is happening in the sector reflects a health and humanitarian crisis that requires urgent intervention from humanitarian and international organizations. The continuation of this health genocide threatens health security across the entire region.
In conclusion, the will to survive remains deeply rooted in the hearts of Palestinians, despite all challenges. Rebuilding the health system in Gaza requires genuine international efforts to ensure the provision of necessary healthcare for the besieged population.