Amidst Crisis: The Fight for Survival in Gaza’s Overcrowded Hospitals

Sabha and Khan were stationed in a hospital that was under significant strain, designed for 200 people but housing over 10,000. The limited bathroom facilities, with one bathroom for every 200 to 300 people, caused challenges for both patients and staff. Despite the overwhelming number of patients, doctors had to improvise emergency room settings, treating patients on the ground due to the lack of beds.

Sabha saw 20 to 30 patients daily during Ramadan while fasting, surviving on minimal sleep and nutrition. The hospital’s resources were stretched thin due to Gaza’s heightened siege, leading to scarce food, water, and medical supplies. In some cases, they had to use the wrong implants to fix fractures because it was all that was available.

Gaza’s crumbling infrastructure added to the health crisis, with constant bombings leaving buildings unstable and sanitation facilities non-existent. The lack of sanitation bred mosquitoes, and the piling garbage created an unpleasant smell throughout the area. Sabha and Khan worked tirelessly in challenging conditions to provide care for the patients in need.