Over 100 premature infants in Gaza face danger as hospitals deplete fuel supplies.
Two major hospitals in Gaza have issued urgent appeals for assistance, emphasizing the critical fuel shortages that threaten their operations and patient care. The al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza City and the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Khan Younis are facing dire circumstances that, if not addressed promptly, could lead to devastating consequences for patients reliant on life-saving medical support.
Muhammad Abu Salmiyah, the director of al-Shifa Hospital, underscored the stakes by highlighting that the lives of over 100 premature infants and approximately 350 dialysis patients are hanging in the balance. Without a steady supply of fuel, essential equipment, such as oxygen stations, risks malfunctioning—effectively turning medical facilities into locations that could no longer promise healing.
In a poignant statement, Abu Salmiyah remarked that the hospital’s ability to function was dwindling, as they were forced to prioritize power allocation to intensive care units and operating rooms. Conditions are critical as they fight to maintain even a semblance of care in an increasingly hostile environment.
Similarly, the Nasser Medical Complex is nearing what it terms “the crucial and final hours” due to imminent fuel depletion. Mohammed Sakr, a spokesperson for the hospital, indicated that the facility requires a daily intake of 4,500 liters of fuel but currently possesses only 3,000 liters—sufficient to last merely 24 hours. Doctors at the complex are faced with performing surgeries under severely compromised conditions, where temperature control is nonexistent due to power outages.
The escalating crisis comes in the wake of continued bombardment by Israeli forces, which has severely impacted the already strained healthcare system in Gaza. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 600 attacks on health facilities have been recorded since the onset of heightened conflict in October 2023, leading to significant casualties and affecting the provision of healthcare across the region.
United Nations agencies have called attention to the urgent need for fuel and medical supplies, framing the healthcare crisis in Gaza as intolerable. UNICEF’s recent remarks emphasized that even the most skilled healthcare professionals require adequate resources to provide care, and without medicine or fuel, the operations become unsustainable.
The ongoing blockade, which has restricted fuel supplies for over four months, exacerbates the challenges faced by medical facilities. The humanitarian implications are staggering, with hospitals forced to ration resources while ambulance services and water systems become increasingly compromised.
In light of these pressing issues, there is a collective call for the international community to prioritize the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid, particularly fuel and medical supplies, to support the beleaguered healthcare system in Gaza. The potential for catastrophe looms large unless immediate action is taken to ensure that vital resources are made available, allowing healthcare facilities to fulfill their critical role in the community.
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