Gaza hospitals collapse as war devastates healthcare access
- Gaza's healthcare system has become critically compromised, losing 75% of its capacity due to ongoing military conflict.
- Approximately 50,000 pregnant women are in peril, with a sharp rise in reported miscarriages as many hospitals are out of service.
- The situation in Gaza is dire, with massive displacement of families and severe shortages of essential supplies, calling for urgent humanitarian assistance.
Gaza, a region heavily affected by ongoing conflict, has experienced a catastrophic decline in healthcare capacity due to military actions. Reports from the enclave's Ministry of Health reveal that over 75 percent of hospital services have been rendered inoperable, forcing medical personnel to confront immense challenges in patient care. The Government Media Office in Gaza indicated that 34 hospitals are no longer functioning, leaving only five facilities operational at severely limited capacities. This crisis is exacerbated by a dire shortage of medicines and medical supplies, making it difficult for doctors to treat thousands of patients effectively. Among the most vulnerable populations are pregnant women, with the UN Population Fund warning that approximately 50,000 women are at significant risk, alongside a projected 4,000 births expected in the upcoming month. The deteriorating health conditions have led to alarming increases in reported miscarriages, as the healthcare system struggles to support maternal and infant health. Amidst the chaos, the environment poses additional threats with waterborne diseases becoming more prevalent, and sanitary conditions drastically declining due to accumulations of rubbish and sewage. The UN Relief and Works Agency highlighted the critical humanitarian situation facing displaced families, emphasizing that many individuals fleeing conflict zones are now sheltering in the cold without adequate provisions like blankets or dry shelters. Humanitarian efforts have been severely hampered, with Israel blocking the majority of UN aid delivery attempts to northern Gaza, indicating a worsening humanitarian crisis. Over the course of the conflict, significant loss of life has been reported, with tens of thousands of Palestinians killed and hundreds of thousands more displaced. The report highlights that conditions in Gaza have reached a state described as 'beyond miserable,' as families continue to suffer from severe shortages of food, medical care, and safe living environments, rendering the area one of the most challenging regions for civilians during this period of violence.