“This situation is beyond what is described as a catastrophe anymore. Catastrophe is now a very simple word, soft word. It’s worse than calling it a catastrophe,” Mohammed Abu Mugaisebe, assistant medical coordinator at MSF in Gaza, told the Anadoru Agency (AA) in an interview.
For 22 months of the Israeli bombing, the health department has been systematically demolished, with most hospitals not smashed or working, Mugaishev added:
He also said the remaining outdoor clinics and makeshift wards are flooded with injured critically ill patients.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, hospital occupancy has skyrocketed to 300%, leaving patients on naked beds and many surgeries stopped due to the shortage. Of the 38 hospitals, only 15 are partially operated, and have been most damaged by Israeli strikes.
Hunger, medical shortage
Abu Mughaiseeb said recent aid truck trickle has done little to stop the worsening hunger in Gaza.
“There’s no food, no medicine, no real humanitarian assistance,” he said. “There’s no food, no medicine, no humanitarian assistance.”
“Children who are dying from starvation have underlying illnesses,” he said.
“They can be treated and should not die. If they have food, they will live. If you have the protein and milk from a special supplement, they will live,” Mugaishev further said.
MA/PR