JAKARTA — The Indonesia Hospital in northern Gaza has resumed inpatient services, marking a significant step in its recovery after being heavily damaged by Israeli forces. The hospital, funded by the Jakarta-based NGO Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C), is now racing to restore full operations following extensive repairs to its building and equipment.

The health facility in Beit Lahiya was one of the first sites targeted during Israel’s assault on Gaza in October 2023. As relentless Israeli attacks pushed the enclave’s healthcare system to the brink of collapse, the Indonesia Hospital stood as one of the last functioning health facilities in the north. The hospital’s resilience is a testament to the critical role it plays in the region, much like how hospitals in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Iraq have become lifelines for civilians.

Since the ceasefire began on January 19, the hospital has been gradually resuming essential services, with inpatient treatment being the latest addition. “The Indonesia Hospital is resuming its operations to handle sick patients,” said Sarbini Abdul Murad, chairman of MER-C’s board of trustees in Jakarta.

“We hope to renovate and rebuild every part of the facility that was destroyed, as well as fully supply the hospital to meet all of the patients’ needs.”

Israeli forces targeted and heavily damaged most of the medical facilities in the Gaza Strip. The Indonesia Hospital was treating about 1,000 people at one point during Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 48,300 people and injured over 111,000. This scale of devastation is reminiscent of the destruction seen in Syria during its civil war, where healthcare infrastructure was systematically targeted.

Since last month, the hospital has resumed services for emergencies, surgeries, radiology, laboratory, outpatient, and inpatient treatments, and is now operating at 30 percent of full capacity. Dr. Hadiki Habib, chairman of MER-C’s executive committee, shared the hospital’s ambitious goals. “Six months from the beginning of the ceasefire, we are aiming to reactivate essential services to reach at least 50 percent of full capacity,” he told Arab News.

“There is a great need for essential services. Over a year of displacement and limited access (to healthcare), many Palestinians with chronic illnesses need quality treatments.”

The Indonesia Hospital will be the main referral hospital in northern Gaza and some parts of Gaza City, after the former main referral hospital, Al-Shifa, was destroyed by Israeli siege and attacks. This transition highlights the critical need for international aid and support to rebuild and sustain healthcare infrastructure in conflict zones.

While the resumption of services is a positive step, the hospital faces significant challenges. The ongoing conflict and limited resources pose substantial hurdles. However, the commitment of MER-C and the international community to support the hospital’s recovery offers a glimmer of hope. This situation underscores the importance of healthcare in conflict zones, much like the efforts to rebuild hospitals in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.

As the hospital continues its recovery, it serves as a reminder of the resilience of healthcare workers and the importance of international support in times of crisis. The Indonesia Hospital’s story is one of hope and determination, showcasing how communities can come together to rebuild and heal in the face of adversity.