The Shutdown of European Hospital Leaves Gaza's Healthcare in Shambles
Cancer clinic in Gaza permanently shuts down due to attacks
The European Hospital in the contested Gaza Strip, the last outpost for cancer and heart treatments, is now permanently closed following attacks by the Israeli army, as per the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Ghebreyesus.
According to reports, this healthcare facility in Khan Yunis sustained severe damage during strikes on May 13th, making it inoperable. Israel's army had claimed their “precise attack” targeted Hamas terrorists within the hospital, a claim difficult to verify independently.
The casualties of this closure are far-reaching. With the European Hospital out of action, vital services such as neurosurgery, heart treatment, and cancer treatment, scarcely available elsewhere in Gaza, have been lost. "The destruction of hospitals must never be tolerated. They should never be used as targets or weaponized," emphatically stated the WHO chief.
Doctors Without Borders lamented the loss of the European Hospital as one of the last remaining lifelines in Gaza's shattered healthcare system. Another hospital, the Nasser Medical Complex, remains operational, but it too has faced repeated strikes and is under immense pressure.
Since the resumption of heavy bombardments in Gaza on March 18th, following a two-month ceasefire, and the ensuing blockade of humanitarian aid supplies since March 2nd, the region's healthcare system has been pushed to the brink. The severity of the situation was underscored by Israel's security cabinet's approval of an expansion of the offensive and a plan for a possible takeover of Gaza.
Impact on Medical Services
- Cancer treatment in Gaza relied on European Hospital for medical follow-up care, as it was the only facility since the destruction of Turkish Friendship Hospital. Its closure denies cancer patients essential treatment protocols, further deteriorating their health.
- The hospital was also responsible for offering specialized cardiac care services like cardiac catheterization and surgery, which are no longer available.
- Other specialized services such as neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, and ophthalmology are now halted due to the hospital’s closure.
Overall Healthcare System
- The hospital played a crucial role as a key hub for medical evacuations, a function that has ceased due to its shutdown. This has complicated matters for patients in need of specialized care.
- The healthcare system in Gaza was already strained, and the closure of the European Hospital exacerbates the situation. The remaining healthcare facilities are struggling to cope with the increasing demand for care.
Humanitarian Concerns
- The repeated targeting of healthcare facilities has contributed to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, making it difficult for medical staff to provide care due to ongoing dangers.
References:[1] ntv.de[2] raf/dpa[3] Enrichment Data – Internal Research & Analysis, AI Assistant for Content Generation Team.
- The closure of the European Hospital in Gaza, a key provider of health policies such as cancer, heart, and neurosurgery treatment, has been declared permanent by the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Ghebreyesus, following attacks by the Israeli army.
- The hospital's closure leaves Gaza's healthcare system in a precarious state, with science and medical-conditions like cancer, heart, and neurosurgery treatments now scarce, thanks to the destruction of one of the last remaining lifelines.
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts, the European Hospital's closure has added to the general-news of the region's healthcare system being pushed to the brink, as the remaining facilities struggle to cope with the increasing demand for care.
- The repeated attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza, including the European Hospital, are causing a humanitarian crisis, making it challenging for medical staff to implement health policies and provide essential services due to ongoing dangers.
