Gaza hospital health crisis deepens

Under the leadership of the World Health Organisation (WHO), a team safely transferred 14 patients and 10 caregivers from Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, despite dangerous conditions and restricted access.

- Carien Grobler

Although an agreement was initially reached to support the mission, critical medical supplies, blood and fuel required to keep both Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda hospitals running were blocked just hours before the transfer on 20 October.

The two-day mission faced numerous delays due to repeated checkpoints and security checks, forcing the team to spend the night at Kamal Adwan Hospital. Heavy bombardment near the hospital through the night added to the distress of patients, staff, and the mission team.