GENEVA – The WHO expressed deep concerns over growing spread of diseases across Gaza, reiterating commitment to strengthening Al-Shifa Hospital in the coming weeks so that it can resume at least basic functionality and continue to provide the lifesaving services that are needed at this critical time.
Up to 20 operating theatres in the hospital, as well as post-operative care services, can be activated if provided with regular supplies of fuel, oxygen, medicines, food, and water, the organization said. Substantial additional specialized medical, nursing and support staff, including emergency medical teams are also urgently needed.
A a joint UN mission to Al-Shifa Hospital in north Gaza, comprising representatives from the WHO and other UN agencies, visited the hospital on Saturday to deliver health supplies and assess the situation in the facility.
The team said doctors are working in what it described as “unbelievably challenging circumstances ,” and calling it a “hospital in need of resuscitation.” Dialysis is being provided to approximately 30 patients a day, with the dialysis machines operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, using a small generator.
The team described the emergency department as a “bloodbath”, with hundreds of injured patients inside, and new patients arriving every minute. Patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor, and limited to no pain management is available at the hospital. WHO staff said that the emergency department is so full that care must be exercised to not step on patients on the floor. Critical patients are being transferred to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital for surgeries.
