A Daily Battle for Survival in Gaza

In the heart of Gaza City, a dedicated doctor navigates the ruins of her city, embodying the relentless struggle for health care amid chaos. Dr. Wissam Sukkar, clad in a pink headscarf, makes her way to a makeshift clinic established by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), having walked nearly an hour due to the severe fuel crisis hampering transportation.

Crisis in Healthcare

With only 21 out of 36 hospitals partially operational, Gaza's health care system is in a dire state, crippled by an ongoing blockade. As Dr. Sukkar arrives, the makeshift clinic is already flooded with patients, many of whom are displaced families seeking refuge and medical aid.

The Harsh Reality of Medical Care

"We’re facing a surge in malnutrition and diseases," Dr. Sukkar explains, highlighting the dire conditions in shelters where many are forced to live. The clinic sees a rising number of childhood illnesses, exacerbated by poor living conditions and the rapid spread of infections among crowded groups.

Increased Patient Influx and Limited Supplies

Following a recent airstrike on a key hospital, the clinic has seen an alarming rise in severely injured patients. Complicated cases are piling up as the healthcare system crumbles, leaving medical professionals like Dr. Sukkar scrambling to provide care without sufficient supplies.

A Worrying Shortage of Essential Medicines

With the closure of Gaza's borders to aid, the clinic faces a critical shortage of medicines, from insulin for diabetes to treatments for skin infections. Dr. Sukkar expresses her despair as she surveys the nearly empty pharmacy shelves, anticipating that their remaining supplies won’t last beyond two weeks.

A Grueling Day’s End

As the day winds down, Dr. Sukkar reflects on the overwhelming number of patients treated—nearly 390 in a single day. After work, she faces yet another exhausting journey home, worrying about her own children, who have been uprooted time and again due to the ongoing conflict.

Struggling for Hope and Normalcy

"Securing clean water and food is a daily struggle," she confesses, revealing the harsh reality of life in Gaza where electricity is a luxury. Above all, her words echo a haunting sentiment: "It’s really hard to have any hope. I feel trapped in a nightmare that never ends. When will this war cease?" For now, the answer remains elusive, as the people of Gaza continue to endure unimaginable hardships.