Gaza Hospitals: Surge in Patients, Decline in Medical Supplies
Gaza Health System Overwhelmed Amidst Hostilities, Displacement Crisis Deepens
Table of Contents
- Gaza Health System Overwhelmed Amidst Hostilities, Displacement Crisis Deepens
- gaza Health Crisis: An Overwhelmed System Under Siege
- What are the Key Challenges Facing the Gaza Health System?
- How Overwhelmed are Gaza Hospitals?
- What Specific Medical Supplies are Lacking?
- Why Are External Medical Teams Unable to Enter Gaza?
- How Many Palestinians have Been displaced?
- What are the Urgent Needs of Displaced Palestinians?
- How is the Targeting of Healthcare Impacting the Situation?
- What are the Key Takeaways from the current Crisis?
March 26, 2025
The Gaza health system is under immense strain, struggling to provide necessary treatment due to a surge in victims, dwindling medical supplies, adn shortages of equipment, blood, and specialized staff, according to the UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA).
In its latest situation report, OCHA stated that more than half of hospitals that receive trauma cases now have a bed occupancy rate exceeding 80%, and calls for blood donations are constant.
The agency noted that with escalating hostilities, the needs are enormous.
Ambulances and Hospitals Targeted
Gaza blood banks have fewer than 500 blood units available. the Ministry of Health estimates that 8,000 blood units are needed each month to meet the needs of the injured and patients with thalassemia, a blood disorder.
Existing stocks of anesthetic drugs, essential for surgical operations, childbirth, pain management, and intensive care, are depleted. Critical medical supplies needed for safe deliveries are also exhausted.
Rotavirus vaccines, used to protect young children from infections that cause severe diarrhea, are out of stock. OCHA has reiterated the urgency of obtaining approval from Israeli authorities to send these vaccines.
Earlier this week, OCHA expressed deep concern over ongoing attacks, citing horrible reports from Gaza.
The agency voiced concern for the safety of health workers, ambulances, and hospitals, reporting that thay are targeted while they are trying to save lives.
Restrictions on Emergency Medical Teams
The sectoral health group has raised concerns about restrictions on the entry of emergency medical team (EMT) units intended to support the ongoing response.
According to OCHA, Israeli authorities have approved only four of the seven newly recorded EMTs.As March 18, no EMT has been able to enter Gaza. An incoming rotation on March 25 included only six EMT members, leaving 34 EMT members on a waiting list.
In recent weeks, the rate of entry refusal for paramedics in Gaza, previously between 20% and 30%, has increased to 40%-50%, which particularly affects highly specialized staff, such as vascular surgeons, and seriously compromises the continuity of paramedics inside Gaza,
OCHA reported.
142,000 Palestinians Displaced
The Israeli army ordered residents of all border cities in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate.However, there is no safe area within the Palestinian enclave.
Between March 18 and 23, more than 142,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced due to evacuation orders issued by Israel.
OCHA stated that fleeing with only a few personal effects, many people now live in the streets, desperately needing food, drinking water, and essential shelters.
The current displacement is primarily due to evacuation orders from Israel and the destruction of homes and public infrastructure, according to OCHA. Since the resumption of conflict, the Israeli army has issued six evacuation orders, affecting approximately 15% of the Gaza Strip.
The agency estimates that around 250,000 people are in the areas designated for evacuation in Rafah, Khan younis, and northern Gaza, including more than 50,000 people in 240 sites for internally displaced persons.
gaza Health Crisis: An Overwhelmed System Under Siege
(Updated: October 26, 2024)
The health system in Gaza is facing a severe crisis, struggling amidst escalating hostilities, displacement, and critical shortages. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges, relying on reports from the UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA) and other reliable sources.
What are the Key Challenges Facing the Gaza Health System?
The Gaza health system is under immense strain due too a confluence of factors, including:
Surge in Victims: An influx of patients resulting from ongoing conflict is overwhelming healthcare facilities.
Dwindling Medical Supplies: Critical shortages of equipment, blood, and specialized staff are substantially impacting the quality of care.
Attacks on Healthcare: Hospitals, ambulances, and health workers are being targeted, hindering life-saving efforts.
Displacement Crisis: A large number of Palestinians have been displaced, creating additional needs for healthcare.
How Overwhelmed are Gaza Hospitals?
Hospitals in Gaza, especially those receiving trauma cases, are operating at or near capacity. According to OCHA, more than half of hospitals receiving trauma cases have a bed occupancy rate exceeding 80%. The constant need for blood donations underscores the severity of the situation.
What Specific Medical Supplies are Lacking?
Multiple essential medical supplies are critically low or completely unavailable:
Anesthetic Drugs: Existing stocks of anesthetic drugs required for surgeries, childbirth, pain management, and intensive care.
Blood: The Ministry of Health estimates a monthly need of 8,000 blood units to support the injured and those with blood disorders like thalassemia, while fewer than 500 units are currently available.
Rotavirus vaccines: Vaccines to protect young children from infections that cause severe diarrhea are out of stock.
Medical supplies for safe deliveries: Supplies needed for childbirth.
Why Are External Medical Teams Unable to Enter Gaza?
Restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities are limiting the entry of Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) crucial for providing support.
Approval Delays: While seven EMTs have been newly recorded, only four have been approved.
Entry Refusals: An incoming rotation on March 25 included only six EMT members, leaving 34 EMT members on a waiting list. In recent weeks, the refusal rate for paramedics has increased to 40%-50%.
How Many Palestinians have Been displaced?
As the latest escalation of hostilities, the displacement crisis has intensified. Based on OCHA reports:
Between March 18 and 23, over 142,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced.
Evacuation orders from the Israeli army have affected approximately 15% of the Gaza strip.
Around 250,000 people are estimated to be in areas designated for evacuation, notably in Rafah, Khan Yunis, and northern Gaza.
What are the Urgent Needs of Displaced Palestinians?
Displaced Palestinians face dire circumstances and urgent needs,including:
Food: Access to food security is a major issue.
Drinking Water: Clean and safe drinking water is essential for survival.
Shelter: Essential shelter options are desperately needed to cope with the impact of the displacement.
How is the Targeting of Healthcare Impacting the Situation?
The targeting of healthcare facilities and workers has had a devastating impact, according to OCHA.
Safety Concerns: Attacks on hospitals, ambulances, and healthcare workers are making it extremely challenging to provide life-saving care.
Disruption of Services: Attacks disrupt critical medical services, further compromising the health of those in need.
What are the Key Takeaways from the current Crisis?
| Crisis Aspect | Impact |
| ————————— | ——————————————————————————————————- |
| Hospital Overload | Hospitals are exceeding capacity to care for trauma cases |
| medical Supplies | Severe shortages of blood, anesthesia, rotavirus vaccines, and critical supplies for childbirth. |
| EMTs | Restrictions placed on the entry of ERT teams |
| Displacement | Approximately 142,000 Palestinians have been displaced |
| Urgent Needs | Food, clean drinking water, shelter |
The ongoing crisis in Gaza underscores the urgent need for increased humanitarian assistance, protection of civilians and healthcare facilities, and the removal of restrictions that impede the delivery of essential services.