Gazan hospitals are overwhelmed with patients as fuel shortages and Israeli airstrikes have left them without drugs or medicines to treat their patients with. With limited resources and growing demands, surgeries are increasingly being performed without the guidance and support of drugs or medicine. Doctors are relying on their own skill and expertise to complete operations without the aid of traditional medical interventions, leaving a risk of detrimental medical negligence.
As a result of the fuel shortages and air strikes, Gazan hospitals have been strained beyond their operational capacities. With the continuing disruption of the power grid and water supply, many hospitals have resorted to generators to maintain some form of power but the national electricity system has been largely unstable. Providing medical treatment to any patient, let alone those suffering from conflict-related injuries has become an incredibly laborious task for local health care professionals.
The limited access to medical resources has also had an impact on the accuracy and success of surgeries. With the aid of tools and drugs being limited, doctors in Gazan hospitals are now having to perform operations without the assurance they would typically have. In addition, the extended hours of operation and shift changeover has led to exhaustion for the hospital staff, meaning any surgical procedure is undertaken in a situation of increased risk.
The impact of the Israeli attacks and the resulting blockade has caused immense suffering by the people of Gaza and a direct impact on the health care system. With fuel shortages proving to be an ongoing issue, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Gazan hospitals to provide their patients a method of safe and successful surgery.
