Delivering Basic Healthcare in a Crisis - KIT (2024)

Published on:October 3, 2024

Gaza’s healthcare system is collapsing as a result of the ongoing fighting. Delivering basic health services has become an enormous challenge. During a breakout session on service delivery at theUniting Knowledge, Resources, and Solidarity: Gaza Health Initiative Conference Amsterdam, several key figures working on the ground in Gaza discussed the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict and the extraordinary efforts being made to provide care,with an emphasis on how the crisis has affected maternal and mental health services.

A senior healthcare professional serving on the frontlines described the impact of war: years of development erased, facilities destroyed, and services severely restricted. This destruction dehumanises the population, removing both infrastructure and dignity. Healthcare workers face the same conditions, with one saying, “I feel like a ghost,” highlighting the mental toll on frontline workers.

Maternal and Mental Healthcare Challenges

Maternal health services are especially affected. Rasha Al Moghany of Medical Aid for Palestine explained how emergency care continues even with these grim conditions. Through partnerships with organisations like Oxfam Novib, 40 midwives have been trained to deliver emergency care in shelters.

Mental health services, which are equally important, are stretched to the limit. Dr Yasser Abu-Jamei of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme noted that 80% of children in the program present trauma-related disorders including PTSD, bedwetting, sleep difficulties and low school achievement. A cross-sectional study for individuals seeking health care found that 16% of the population suffered fromsuicidal ideation.

Dr Abu-Jamei urged a balanced narrative: “Let’s not romanticise resilience. Gaza’s people need support to address their suffering.” By moving away from oversimplified narratives of resilience, the people of Gaza can be seen not just as survivors of trauma, but as individuals whose humanity and dignity deserve protection.

Mobile Hospitals Delivering Healthcare

During these challenges, mobile hospitals have become a lifeline. Dr Mohamed Salha of Al-Awda Health Association explained how mobile units deliver care where facilities have been destroyed. Al-Awda also expanded its bed capacity, creating field hospitals in the face of repeated bombings. “We lose everything, but not our humanity,” Dr Salha said, capturing the enduring spirit of Gaza’s healthcare community, which remains committed to serving its people in spite of the extraordinary circumstances.

The Role of International Organisations

Global and local organisations are working together to support Gaza’s healthcare. Mirjam van Dorssen of Oxfam Novib discussed efforts through theMasarounaprogramme to deliver maternal and mental health services but emphasised that the situation remains dire.

Border closures and the ongoing security situation have made sustaining healthcare operations extremely difficult. Rasha Al Moghany, of Medical Aid for Palestine (MAP), stressed the importance of collaboration between international and local organisations. Over the past ten months, MAP has partnered with more than ten organisations, working to expand healthcare delivery in the midst of the crisis. “We cannot wait for the war to end; we must provide care now and plan for the future,” she said.

The urgent need for a ceasefire

The future of Gaza’s healthcare system remains uncertain. Speakers stressed the importance of a sustainable ceasefire, without which any efforts to rebuild the system will be in vain. Some organisations have already begun rehabilitation efforts by restoring some healthcare centres and establishing mobile units, but the repeated destruction of infrastructure means that this work is often undone by subsequent attacks.

In addition to rebuilding physical structures, a leading expert from UNRWA in health services in Gaza emphasised the need to restore the humanity of Gaza’s people. “When we talk about recovery of the healthcare systems in Gaza, we are talking about people. We need to restore the people; we need to restore their humanity.”

Rebuilding Gaza’s healthcare system will be a long and strenuous process. “Gaza will need 50 years at least to be rebuilt,” confirmed one participant. But with the continued andcoordinatedsupport of the international community, the dedication of healthcare workers on the ground, and the spirit of Gaza’s people, there is hope that one day, normalcy can be restored.

Until then, the people of Gaza will continue to defend their right to healthcare and their right to live in dignity.With the unwavering commitment of the healthcare workforce and the support of the global community, there is a glimmer of hope.