The director of one of the few functioning hospitals in northern Gaza, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, has issued a distress call as the facility faces a critical shortage of medical supplies and food. The Kamal Adwan hospital is struggling to cope with the influx of patients, with staff fatigued and resources running low.
Dr. Abu Safiya described the situation as catastrophic, citing the lack of capabilities, tools, and medical methods. The recent Israeli airstrike on a school serving as a shelter for displaced people in the Jabalya refugee camp has further strained the hospital's intensive care unit, with a significant number of casualties arriving for treatment.
The hospital is also dealing with a concerning rise in premature births due to the stress and psychological pressure on pregnant women caused by the ongoing heavy bombing in northern Gaza. Many babies are being born at just thirty-two to thirty-three weeks with very low weights, adding to the medical challenges faced by the hospital.
Dr. Abu Safiya urgently called for international institutions to intervene and facilitate the safe passage of medical aid and food to the hospital. However, the World Health Organization reported that Israel is blocking multiple medical organizations from entering Gaza, hindering efforts to provide essential healthcare services.
A UN inquiry has accused Israel of deliberately targeting and destroying the healthcare system in Gaza during the conflict with Hamas, describing the attacks as potential war crimes. The dire situation at the Kamal Adwan hospital underscores the urgent need for immediate assistance to alleviate the overwhelming pressure on the healthcare facility and ensure the well-being of patients and staff.
