Gazas Al-Shifa hospital faces humanitarian crisis: Urgent call for resuscitation, says WHO
Amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that "tens of thousands of displaced individuals have sought refuge in the hospital building and its surroundings for shelter
Israel-Hamas War: The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a distressing statement regarding Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital, describing its emergency department as a "bloodbath" in desperate need of resuscitation. The hospital, the largest medical facility in the Palestinian territory, has been severely impacted by Israeli bombardments amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
According to the WHO, tens of thousands of displaced people have sought refuge in the hospital building and its grounds, exacerbating challenges such as a severe shortage of drinking water and food. The emergency department is overwhelmed, with hundreds of injured patients and new arrivals every minute. The grim conditions include patients with trauma injuries being treated on the floor, and the absence of available pain management.
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Due to the destruction caused by the attacks, Al-Shifa hospital is operating at a minimal scale, and critical patients are being transferred to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital for surgeries. The WHO emphasizes that the hospital needs urgent resuscitation, as only 30 patients can receive dialysis daily amidst ongoing attacks from Israel.
The WHO plans to reinforce Al-Shifa in the coming weeks to enable the resumption of basic services. Up to 20 operating theatres in the hospital, along with post-operative care services, could be activated with regular supplies of fuel, oxygen, medicines, food, and water.
The health infrastructure across the Gaza strip has been severely impacted by Israeli army bombardments since the October 7 attack by Hamas. The conflict has resulted in approximately 1,140 casualties, mostly civilians, and 240 hostages taken. Israel's retaliatory offensive has claimed 18,800 lives, predominantly women and children.
Amid these dire circumstances, allegations persist that Hamas operates command centers below hospitals, although such claims are denied by hospital officials and Hamas. Currently, only Al-Ahli Arab hospital in the northern region of Gaza Strip is partially functioning, while three facilities—Al-Shifa, Al Awda, and Al Sahaba Medical Complex—are operating at a minimum capacity. Before the conflict, there were 24 operational health facilities in the region.