Gaza Doctors Fight Against Inadequate Resources in Overcrowded Hospital during Conflict

During the recent conflict in Gaza, Sabha and Khan were stationed at a hospital that was struggling to cope with the influx of patients. The hospital, designed for 200 people, was housing over 10,000 people, according to Sabha. Many patients suffered severe injuries and required amputations, with no other options available.

One of the biggest challenges facing the doctors at the hospital was the insufficient bathroom facilities. There was only one bathroom for every 200 to 300 people, forcing doctors to create makeshift emergency room settings. Patients arriving at the emergency room had to be seen on the ground due to a lack of beds. Sabha, fasting for Ramadan, saw 20 to 30 patients a day surviving on four hours of sleep and two protein bars.

The limited resources available due to Gaza’s siege since October 7 meant that doctors had to work with scarce medication and instruments, forcing them to be creative and step out of their comfort zones. Khan explained that using the wrong implants due to limited supplies for treating fractures was one of the biggest challenges they faced. The crumbling infrastructure in Gaza from constant bombings led to unstable buildings and a lack of sanitation facilities, breeding rampant mosquitoes. The accumulation of garbage created a pervasive smell throughout the area, making it a challenging environment to work in.