Sabha and Khan were stationed in a hospital that was facing immense strain. The facility, designed to house 200 people, was currently accommodating over 10,000 patients. Sabha stated that the hospital’s insufficient bathroom facilities, with only one bathroom for every 200 to 300 people, were a significant issue. Doctors had to create makeshift emergency room settings due to the limited resources available due to Gaza’s siege since October 7.
The lack of beds forced patients arriving at the emergency room to be seen on the ground. Sabha, who was fasting for Ramadan, saw 20 to 30 patients a day surviving on four hours of sleep and two protein bars. Khan explained how the limited resources meant working with scarce medication and instruments, forcing doctors to be creative and step out of their comfort zones.
Khan also mentioned how using the wrong implants due to limited supplies for treating fractures was a significant challenge. The crumbling infrastructure in Gaza from constant bombings led to unstable buildings and a lack of sanitation facilities, breeding rampant mosquitoes. The accumulation of garbage created a pervasive smell throughout the area, making it a challenging environment to work in.
Sabha and Khan were both committed to providing medical care despite these challenges. Their dedication and creativity helped save countless lives in this struggling region where healthcare resources are scarce.
