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Gaza's healthcare workers toil amid Israel's COVID crackdown

As Israel ramps up COVID restrictions, Gaza's healthcare workers endure increased psychological pressure
5 min read
20 August, 2021
As the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza issues fresh warnings of a COVID spike and increased Israeli restrictions impede upon their ability to save Palestinian lives, healthcare workers in Gaza fear for their mental health.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the besieged Gaza Strip has complained about the shortage of medicines and medical supplies, .

After the recent escalation in May, medical centres and hospitals in the Gaza Strip have started to face a .

The Director-General of the Pharmacy department at the Ministry of Health, Munir al-Bursh, confirmed that “the rate of medicine shortages in stores is increasing”.

“The increasing percentage of the deficit puts the Gaza Strip in front of a real disaster in light of the at the crossings since the end of the last war on May 21."

He pointed out that more than , in addition to 33 percent of basic medical supplies.

The adviser to the Minister of Health in Gaza, Fathi Abu Warda, said during a press conference on August 1 that the ministry "is anticipating and concerned about the possibility of the new wave of the Coronavirus arriving in the Strip, which is inhabited by about two million people."

A report published by month said that for decades, Palestinian health workers have suffered from a deteriorating health system.

The crisis has been compounded by recent Israeli attacks on the healthcare system in Gaza and the West Bank, and the continuing influx of injured people caused by.

Doctors, nurses and other health professionals recently interviewed by MAP report feeling isolated, anxious, under-prepared and under-appreciated during the COVID-19 response. Already working under the stress of decades of occupation and blockade, healthcare workers revealed how shortages of medicines and personal protective equipment, restrictions on movement, and witnessing the suffering of patients .

Al-Bursh further explained that many patients are severely suffering as they have been prevented from travelling to receive treatment following the most recent escalation and that they do not have the appropriate treatment in the Gaza Strip.

“P𱹱ԳپԲ , due to the failure of being able to take the necessary doses for these dangerous diseases,” he added.

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the effect of the inequitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and other essential medical items such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and how it has exacerbated these challenges in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Whilst , while only nine percent of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza had been vaccinated during the same period.

“Working during the outbreak of COVID-19 reminded me of my work during the past wars on Gaza,” said a senior nurse working in a hospital in Gaza. “No drugs, further restrictions on the movement of patients, and nothing to do for my cancer patients other than comforting them and giving them painkillers."

Hassan Baradeya, a laboratory technician in the COVID-19 testing lab at Palestine Red Crescent Society Hospital in Hebron, said, “I was working alone in the laboratory for a whole week, my biggest fear was infecting my family members, so I avoided attending family events for long periods. The isolation puton us at work." 

Hassan added, “Israel controls the crossings and Area C and prevents specialists from moving to complete their work in the fight against Corona, except after coordination and by that contribute to the spread of the virus.

"I think that the occurrence of another wave of Corona from schools will be the biggest threat, since all students are under 18 and are not currently receiving vaccinations."

Director of the Laboratories Department in the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Brigadier General Mushtaha, says, "What worries us most is the weakness of the capacity, in case the number of critical injuries exceeds the expected limit. We only have approximately 300 beds in our hospitals. In the laboratory department, .

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"Medical teams need medical capabilities, including tools and training, to be able to confront the expected wave of Corona," he added.

In order to help combat the new Covid wave in Palestinian territories, MAP has called on the international community to support Palestinian healthcare workers , while also urgently taking all necessary measures to guarantee that Israel respects its duties as an occupying power towards the health and wellbeing of Palestinians.

Amani Ahmad is a pseudonym. The author resides in a jurisdiction where the publication of their identity may create security or freedom of movement issue