MSF: Gaza’s injured facing healthcare emergency
The huge numbers of patients with complex and serious gunshot wounds are overwhelming the healthcare system in Gaza, leaving thousands in danger of infection and disability
A healthcare emergency is unfolding in Gaza as the cumulative needs of patients mount, warns Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
The vast majority of the 3117 patients treated by MSF in the period from March 30th until October 31st – out of the total 5866 the Ministry of Health say have been injured by live fire – have been shot in the legs. This has led to around half suffering open fractures, with many of the rest suffering severe soft tissue damage.
The severity of these complex injuries, and the lack of appropriate treatment in Gaza’s crippled health system following more than a decade of blockade, means that there is is a high risk of infection, especially for patients with open fractures.
Gaza currently lacks the ability to properly diagnose bone infections, but from experience MSF expects that at least 25% of patients with fractures are infected, with the true total likely to be much higher. This would mean more than 1000 Gazans suffering these infections.
Based on a preliminary analysis of MSF’s patients in Gaza, we estimate that at least 60% of the total number of injured – a massive 3520 – will need further surgery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation. In addition, a significant proportion of those patients will require some form of reconstructive surgery to properly heal, but untreated infections will prevent that from happening. The consequences of these wounds – especially if untreated – will be lifelong disability for many, and if infections are not tackled then the results could be amputation or even death.
Although MSF and other organisations are working hard to provide treatment for these patients, the scale of the needs is quickly becoming overwhelming, challenging our continued ability to respond.
“MSF has already tripled its capacity in Gaza but the volume required of surgery, carefully managed antibiotics, intensive nursing care, and long-term physiotherapy and rehabilitation is staggering,” said Marie-Elisabeth Ingres, MSF’s Head of Mission in Palestine. “This many patients would overstretch the best healthcare systems in the world. In Gaza, it is a crushing blow.”
The situation is also worsening as more people are shot, as wounded flesh and bone dies, and as the risk of infection increases. An adequate response will cost tens of millions of Euros – money that urgently needs to be found.
“What is required now is for the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to do all they can to facilitate the free access and work of all healthcare providers in Gaza that are trying to build the advanced capacity to care for these people; for other countries in the region and around the globe to step forward and offer funding and space in their hospitals where advanced surgical capacity exists; and for authorities in Palestine and Israel to facilitate the transfer of these patients abroad,” said Ingres.
“The alternative – that thousands of patients will be left to deal with terrible injuries, with many permanently disabled and dependent on their families – is unconscionable when adequate treatment is within the world’s grasp.”
Notes for editors:
MSF has over 260 personnel working across four hospitals and five post-operative clinics in Gaza, providing dressing changes, physiotherapy, and doing plastic and orthopedic surgery.