Amid the bustling chaos of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Dr. Nada Abu Al-Rub navigated the halls, attending to patients in dire need. One young boy, having lost a leg and sustained severe burns in a nearby explosion, received treatment from Al-Rub using the last available gauze and salt water. The hospital faced a critical shortage of medical supplies at this point.
Walking through a hallway with makeshift steel beds and patients awaiting care, Al-Rub encountered an elderly man with grave injuries from a recent bombing. The man’s shattered legs were crudely stabilized with protruding steel spokes. Al-Rub, an Australian physician volunteering with the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association, expressed disbelief at the harrowing conditions she witnessed in Gaza City.
Describing the situation as resembling a horror or terror movie, Al-Rub highlighted the overwhelming challenges faced by the medical staff. Despite relentless airstrikes and sieges, healthcare workers in Gaza have been tirelessly tending to war victims. Al-Rub noted that the hospital not only accommodated patients but also served as a refuge for displaced individuals seeking safety amidst the conflict.
The hospital’s resources were severely strained, with Al-Rub and her colleagues forced to make tough decisions regarding patient care prioritization. While attempting to stabilize critical patients and provide life-saving interventions, the destruction of essential equipment like the CT scanner and MRI machine added further hurdles to their efforts.
As Al-Rub ventured into the hospital courtyard, the sounds of drones overhead underscored the ongoing devastation in the area. The hospital surroundings bore the scars of intense conflict, with adjacent buildings reduced to rubble and ashes. Al-Rub lamented the nightmarish scenes she witnessed, emphasizing the toll of the conflict on both patients and medical personnel.
Allegations of hospitals being used as military bases by Hamas have fueled tensions, with Israel justifying its targeting of such facilities. Recent escalations in violence have led to the closure of multiple hospitals in Gaza, exacerbating the strain on the already fragile healthcare system. The World Health Organization has condemned the systematic dismantling of healthcare infrastructure in the region, citing over 600 attacks on medical facilities since late 2023.
Despite the overwhelming challenges and heartbreaking decisions she faces daily, Al-Rub remains hopeful for peace and an end to the conflict. As she continues to provide care under immense pressure and resource constraints, she reflects on the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further suffering and loss of life in Gaza.