In the Gaza Strip, a young Palestinian child recently underwent a surgical procedure without the use of anesthesia, reciting verses from the Quran for comfort while a doctor operated on the child’s leg. This poignant scene unfolded against the backdrop of a strict Israeli-imposed siege, which has left medical facilities in the region struggling with a shortage of vital supplies, including anesthesia.
The ongoing conflict in the region has posed numerous challenges for the Palestinian people. The blockade of Gaza has placed immense pressure on the healthcare system, resulting in a scarcity of crucial medical resources. One of the repercussions of this dire situation is the shortage of anesthesia, essential for alleviating pain and discomfort during surgical procedures.
In this remarkable display of resilience, the young Palestinian child sought solace in the recitation of Quranic verses, finding spiritual comfort as they endured the surgery without anesthesia, a standard practice for pain management.
Hospitals in the Gaza Strip are teetering on the brink of collapse due to the Israeli blockade, which has severely restricted access to power, food, and essential supplies. The healthcare system is grappling with acute shortages of clean water, basic pain relief, and infection prevention materials.
Furthermore, the dwindling fuel supply for generators has exacerbated the crisis. The Israeli bombing campaign, initiated in response to an incursion by Hamas militants on October 7, has resulted in over 1,400 casualties, primarily civilians, and the abduction of more than 200 individuals. The offensive has left neighborhoods in ruins, forced the closure of five hospitals, and overwhelmed the remaining healthcare facilities with a caseload they can hardly manage.
Abed, a worker with Doctors Without Borders, shared the challenges they face, stating, “We have a shortage of everything, and we are dealing with very complex surgeries.” He made these remarks from Al Quds Hospital, which continues to treat hundreds of patients despite an evacuation order issued by the Israeli military. The hospital has also become a refuge for some 10,000 Palestinians displaced by the bombing.
After enduring days of border delays, a limited supply of food, water, and medicine finally made its way into Gaza from Egypt on Saturday. Of a 20-truck aid convoy, only four trucks were able to transport drugs and medical supplies, according to the World Health Organization. However, aid workers and medical professionals on the ground are sounding the alarm, emphasizing that this influx of resources falls far short of what is needed to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.