Healthcare in the Gaza Strip is itself a casualty of 18 months of war between Israel and Hamas. With doctors struggling to cope, the BBC followed one GP through her shift at a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic. By 07:30, a slight figure in a pink headscarf, Dr Wissam Sukkar, is picking her way through the devastated streets of Gaza City. "I was walking for around 50 minutes to reach our clinic," she explains when she is met by a local BBC journalist who helped us log her day. With virtually no fuel left in Gaza, few taxis are running. "With our limited resources we're still trying to be here in northern Gaza through these difficult times," adds Dr Sukkar. The UN's World Health Organization (WHO) says that only 21 of Gaza's 36 hospitals are currently partially functional. Medical supplies are running critically low due to Israel's ongoing blockade of Gaza. The GP points out what is left of her former workplace, an MSF burns clinic that came under fire in the early weeks of the war, during street battles between Israeli soldiers and Hamas fighters. Her team has now converted an office towards the west of Gaza City into a clinic - and by 09:30, as Dr Sukkar is putting on her white robe, there are already some 150 people waiting outside in a tented reception area. "Most of our patients are displaced people," Dr Sukkar says. "They live in shelters, they even live in tents in the streets." Since a ceasefire collapsed a month ago, thousands of Gazans have once again left their homes and fled to this neighbourhood, seeking safety. With little food and clean water, there is a rise in malnutrition and diseases - from stomach bugs to scabies. The elderly and young are worst affected, and the first patients of the day are babies with viral infections. "We receive a lot of children who suffer from upper respiratory tract infections and diarrhoea. In the shelters, there are a lot of children in the same place and a virus can spread very quickly," the doctor explains. One toddler has his face dotted with mosquito bites and Dr Sukkar administers some soothing cream. As cooking gas has run out, families have taken to using open fires to heat food and this has also led to an increase in serious burns. Within an hour, Dr Sukkar and three other physicians have seen dozens of patients. But there are many whom they struggle to help. "We have more and more challenges with the huge number of patients with less and less medical supplies," Dr Sukkar says wearily. "Also, we receive complicated cases, and we don't know where to refer these patients because the health system in Gaza has collapsed." There has been an influx in seriously wounded patients arriving at the clinic since last Sunday, whenIsraeli warplanes attacked al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza City. Israel accused Hamas of using a hospital building as a "command and control centre"; something the armed group denied. Al-Ahli - which was the main medical site for treating trauma in northern Gaza - can no longer accept patients. The WHO says the emergency room, laboratory, X-ray machines and pharmacy were destroyed. "I started my treatment atal-Shifa hospital, then I got transferred to al-Ahli and they bombed it," says Saeed Barkat, an older man with a fractured thigh bone, who arrives at the MSF clinic on crutches. He had surgery after he was wounded by Israeli artillery fire on the shelter where he was staying late last year. He has pins in his leg, and it is swollen. "I came here for any treatment and to follow-up," says Mr Barkat, as nurses change his dressing and give new painkillers. At midday, when Dr Sukkar checks on the small pharmacy at the clinic, she looks worried. Many of the shelves are bare. Israel closed all crossings to Gaza at the start of March, saying it was putting pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages it is holding. Since then, no aid has entered. "For diabetes, we don't have insulin, we don't have treatments for epilepsy, we don't have basic medicines like anti-fever drugs," Dr Sukkar says. "It's the season for skin infections and we don't have creams or ointments for bacterial infections, no medicines to treat scabies and head lice." The doctors are rationing the supplies that remain. "We are doing our best so that it will be enough for the coming week," sums up Dr Sukkar, "but we expect that our stock will run out in more or less two weeks." Soon Dr Sukkar is back in her consultation room. The rush of patients continues with many more sick children. They have coughs, fevers and stomach upsets. By 15:30, it is time to close up the clinic for the day. The four doctors here calculate that they have seen nearly 390 patients. After a long, tiring day, there is the long, tiring walk home for Dr Sukkar. As she leaves the clinic she telephones her family. Her thoughts turn to looking after her own children, who have been displaced with her nine times in the past year and a half. "Like every Gazan, I have a daily struggle to secure clean water, food for my kids," says Dr Sukkar. "We don't have electricity, so it's really hard even to charge the battery of my mobile." "Most of all, it's really hard to have any hope," she goes on. "I feel I live in a nightmare that doesn't end. When will this war end?" For now, there is no answer, and no respite.
'It's really hard to have any hope': Gaza doctor describes daily struggle
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Healthcare Crisis Deepens in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict"
Bbc News
7.1
TruthLens AI Summary
The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip has severely impacted the healthcare system, with many medical facilities rendered inoperable due to the violence. Dr. Wissam Sukkar, a general practitioner working with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), navigates the devastated streets of Gaza City to provide medical care amidst these dire circumstances. She describes her daily commute, which has become increasingly challenging due to fuel shortages and the ongoing blockade imposed by Israel. Currently, only 21 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are partially functional, and medical supplies are critically low. Dr. Sukkar's clinic has been set up in a repurposed office after their previous facility was damaged during street battles. By mid-morning, around 150 patients, primarily displaced individuals living in shelters or on the streets, are already waiting for care. The lack of food and clean water has led to a rise in malnutrition and various diseases, particularly affecting the elderly and children, who are increasingly susceptible to infections and other health issues due to overcrowded living conditions.
As the day progresses, Dr. Sukkar and her team face mounting challenges due to the influx of patients and dwindling medical supplies. The recent bombing of al-Ahli Arab hospital, a critical trauma center, has exacerbated the situation, leaving many seriously injured individuals without access to necessary treatment. Dr. Sukkar recounts the difficulties in managing patient care, noting that they are unable to refer complicated cases due to the collapse of the health system. With essential medications running out, including insulin and treatments for infections, the doctors at the clinic are forced to ration their remaining supplies. By the end of her shift, Dr. Sukkar reflects on her own struggles as a displaced mother, highlighting the pervasive hopelessness experienced by many in Gaza. As she returns home after a long day of work, she expresses her deep concern about the ongoing conflict and the lack of a clear path to peace, embodying the despair felt by countless Gazans in this protracted crisis.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The report on the daily struggles of healthcare in Gaza, particularly through the perspective of Dr. Wissam Sukkar, highlights the dire conditions faced by medical professionals and patients alike in the region. This narrative sheds light on the broader implications of prolonged conflict on public health and social stability.
Purpose of the Report
The article aims to illuminate the humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. By focusing on the experiences of a healthcare worker, it seeks to evoke empathy and raise awareness about the challenges faced by civilians in Gaza, particularly in terms of access to medical care and basic necessities.
Public Sentiment and Perception
The report is likely designed to create a sense of urgency and concern among international audiences regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. It emphasizes the struggles of displaced individuals and the deteriorating health conditions, which may lead to increased advocacy for humanitarian assistance and intervention.
Information Omission
While the article presents a poignant narrative, it may not fully address the complexities of the conflict itself, including the perspectives of all parties involved. This selective focus could be seen as an attempt to prioritize the humanitarian aspect over the political dimensions of the situation.
Manipulative Elements
The emotional tone of the article, particularly the focus on children and vulnerable populations, can be viewed as a manipulative tactic to garner sympathy. By emphasizing the plight of those most affected, the article may aim to influence public opinion and policy decisions regarding aid to Gaza.
Truthfulness of the Report
The report appears to be based on real experiences and observations, especially given the involvement of a credible source like Médecins Sans Frontières. However, it is essential to recognize that all media narratives are subject to bias, and this piece may reflect a particular viewpoint shaped by the ongoing conflict.
Connecting Themes with Other Reports
This report aligns with other media coverage that focuses on the humanitarian impact of war, particularly in conflict zones. It may serve as part of a larger narrative that seeks to highlight the consequences of geopolitical tensions on civilian life.
Implications for Society, Economy, and Politics
By raising awareness about the situation in Gaza, the article could potentially influence public opinion and policy discussions regarding humanitarian aid and international involvement in the region. Increased sympathy for Gazans may lead to pressure on governments to act or provide support.
Target Audience
The narrative is likely to resonate with humanitarian organizations, activists, and individuals concerned with human rights issues. It appeals to those who prioritize empathy and social justice, aiming to mobilize support for the affected populations.
Potential Economic Impact
While the article primarily focuses on humanitarian aspects, it could indirectly affect markets related to humanitarian aid and NGOs working in conflict zones. Companies involved in medical supplies and humanitarian assistance may see fluctuations in demand based on public interest sparked by such reports.
Global Power Dynamics
The article's focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has implications for global power dynamics, particularly regarding international responses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As awareness grows, it could influence diplomatic efforts or shape geopolitical alliances based on humanitarian considerations.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
It is possible that AI technologies were involved in the report's production, especially in data gathering or analysis of public sentiment. However, the core narrative and emotional engagement appear to stem from human experiences rather than AI-driven storytelling.
Conclusion on Reliability
The report can be considered reliable in terms of presenting factual information about the health crisis in Gaza, though it reflects a specific viewpoint. The emotional appeal and focus on individual stories may somewhat overshadow the broader context of the conflict.