“The health system is overwhelmed and it's collapsing”: MSF doctor testimony from Gaza

The remaining health care facilities in Gaza are completely overwhelmed

The MSF-supported Al Zawaida Field Hospital in Deir Al-Balah is now operating over capacity, with no space for new patients. Within three weeks, the field hospital increased its bed capacity from 70 to 115 beds, but this still doesn’t come close to meeting the massive medical needs.

The Ministry of Health and nearby hospitals are also overwhelmed. Most trauma cases require major surgeries for limb and abdominal injuries, yet we have no stock of external fixators—a frame that sits outside the body and stabilizes fractured bones while they heal—and we are running out of other supplies, including blood and critical antibiotics.

“Our current most pressing need right now is external fixators,” said Dr. Fadlalla. “We have many patients that come in with open fractures that need repair, and we do not have the equipment to repair these open fractures. Right now we have a list of about 30-plus open cases, many of them need fixation and we do not have enough fixators for all the patients.”

Mass casualty incidents continue at “aid points” 

On July 27 and 28, MSF-supported clinics treated hundreds of people injured at food distribution sites and from ongoing attacks in Gaza. On July 27 alone, medical teams at the MSF-supported Sheikh Radwan clinic in north Gaza treated over 150 patients from five different mass casualty incidents. People suffered gunshot wounds, crush injuries, and stabbings while scrambling for aid. 

These dangerous “aid points” distribute tiny quantities of supplies and are causing death and injury, and are draining exhausted medical teams, who are working to treat patients despite not getting enough food themselves. 

“The meals that are provided to the staff are inconsistent,” said Dr. Fadlalla. “Some days we’re able to provide, many days not, and they’re expected to continue working day after day, shift after shift, without having any fuel or energy for themselves.”

Aid must be allowed in at scale

The ongoing blockade and the dangerous and disorganized practices of providing the bare minimum of food to a starving population are fueling desperation and internal violence, while placing an unbearable burden on Gaza’s collapsing health system.

Israeli authorities must facilitate entry of aid into Gaza, expedite clearance procedures, allow the entry of goods at scale, and coordinate to permit safe collection and delivery.