Rafah’s medical facilities are overburdened by an influx of patients as a result of Israel’s military assault against Hamas.
With over a million people sheltering in Rafah, the southern Gaza city, medical facilities are swamped, and people are at risk of being denied healthcare as the Israeli military undertakes a “limited” offensive against Hamas.
The largest hospital in Rafah, Abu Youssef al-Najjar, had to be evacuated quickly due to adjacent fighting, prompting a quick evacuation order.
Border crossings, including the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis, have been closed, severely limiting access to crucial medical services.
This closure delays referrals for procedures, aggravating an already precarious situation. The Emirati maternity facility in Rafah and the Kuwaiti Specialist facility are dealing with an influx of patients.
Even before the crisis, the Kuwaiti hospital was ill-equipped and understaffed, and it is now struggling to offer proper care due to an increase in emergency cases. Emiratis, on the other hand, deliver dozens of infants per day.
Dr. Jamal al-Hams, head of the Kuwaiti hospital, calls the situation “catastrophic.” The hospital is small and lacks diagnostic capabilities and vital equipment as a result of Israeli shelling and blocked border crossings.
Medical workers are treating severe and unexpected injuries, ranging from complex trauma wounds to amputations. The particular nature of these injuries creates significant hurdles for already overburdened medical practitioners.
He went on to say, “These are unusual injuries caused by unusual weapons.” Each situation necessitates the involvement of multiple professionals.
He was outraged that doctors at al-Najjar Hospital were forced to evacuate both the institution and their residences on such short notice. “Where should they go?” Dr. Hams inquired.
The forcible evacuation of medical professionals and people from eastern Rafah has exacerbated the crisis. While the Israeli military ordered locals to designated “humanitarian areas,” the promised supplies and support failed to arrive, leaving evacuees trapped without assistance.