Attachments
Key concerns
- Continued dismantling of the health system, reducing health service availability. Incursions in Rafah and North Gaza leave approximately half a million people living there with no functional, accessible hospitals.
- As of 30 May, 14 out of 36 hospitals are partially functional across the Gaza Strip, including one in the governorate of North Gaza, seven in Gaza, three in the Middle Area, and three in Khan Younis, with a total of 1,292 inpatient beds (compared to the overall capacity of 3,541 beds), including maternity beds and ICUs. However, several hospitals listed as partially functional are inaccessible or unable to provide inpatient care.
- All three hospitals in Rafah are currently non-functional, jeopardizing the right to health of 300,000 people, currently residing in Rafah, the majority of which are internally displaced people:
- Al-Helal Al-Emarati Hospital (39 maternity beds) – the last partially functional hospital in Rafah – was evacuated on 30 May, going out of service, following a recent artillery hit injuring two people.
- The Kuwait Hospital was evacuated, on 28 May, following a strike near the hospital gate killing two personnel.
- The Najjar Hospital has remained out of service since 7 May.
- The two hospitals in the North Governorate, which serve around 150,000 people are currently inaccessible:
- Following besiegement and a raid on 22 May, Al-Awda (36 beds) – the only partially functional hospital in the North Governorate – became inaccessible to new patients from outside, with 14 health workers, 11 patients and two mother companions of children patients currently inside.
- Kamal Adwan Hospital was evacuated following targeting with four shells. Critical patients were referred to Ahli Arab Hospital – the only trauma hospital in Northern Gaza Valley (60 beds), while non-critical patients were referred to El-Helou Hospital in Gaza.
- A total of nine field hospitals in the south – six in Rafah, two in Khan Younis, and one in Deir Al-Balah:
- In Rafah, only IMC and ICRC Field Hospitals remain fully functional, while the UAE Field Hospital is partially functional providing services to 37 patients inside the facility, while being inaccessible to new patients from the outside.
- The Indonesian, Al-Quds (aka Qatari), and MoH Field Hospitals were evacuated, due to the deteriorating security situation. The MoH Field Hospital will be relocating to Deir Al-Balah, to address the needs of the increasing displaced population in the Middle Area.
- In Khan Younis, the Jordanian and UK-Med Field Hospitals are fully functional.
- In the Middle Area, the IMC Field Hospital is operating at partial functionality.
- Only one out of three severe acute malnutrition stabilization centers (SAM SC) is currently functional, at the IMC Field Hospital in Rafah (seven beds).
- SAM SC in Kamal Adwan Hospital – the only SAM SC in Northern Gaza Valley – (10 beds) was evacuated, with the hospital going out of service.
- SAM SC in Tal El-Sultan Primary Healthcare Center (four beds supported by MedGlobal) was evacuated following strikes in its vicinity.
- The Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City has resumed provision of basic emergency care and hemodialysis services.
- No EMT presence in Northern Gaza Valley, due to the volatile situation.
- Closure of the Rafah Crossing with Egypt has completely halted medical evacuation of patients since 7 May, with more than 1,200 patients (50 patients/day average) being unable to evacuate in this period. Out of 12,760 cases requested for medical evacuation, 4,895 (38%) have been evacuated. The Gaza Strip has an estimated 14,000 patients requiring medical evacuation, with the figure expected to increase considering the diminishing capacity of the health system compounded by the ongoing escalation.
- As of 26 May, the UN estimates that around 945,000 Gazans have been displaced from Rafah, since 6 May. According to the Shelter Cluster, there are no remaining stocks of shelter materials inside Gaza. Population displacement is also affecting healthcare provision, both through staff displacement and with partners needing to restructure and to move with the population to address the severe needs.
- Limited access to proper WASH facilities, compounded by overcrowding, continue to contribute to the rise in infectious diseases, including diarrhoeal illness and hepatitis A.
- Fuel shortages continue to threaten continuity of humanitarian interventions, including health care provision, impacting the functionality of hospitals, PHC centers and ambulance services.
- Restrictions on entry of medical supplies, medications, in addition to, tents and building equipment to support setting up and operating temporary health facilities, following the Rafah incursion and closure of Rafah Crossing.
- Restrictions on rotation of humanitarian workers in and out of Gaza, following the Rafah Crossing closure, are hindering delivery of humanitarian interventions.
- Private trucks continue to be prioritized over UN trucks at the few remaining entry points.
- Continued hostilities, recurrent displacement and lack of proper shelters are negatively affecting the mental health of the vulnerable population. These factors, along with the collapse of pre-existing GBV response services and referral pathways, exacerbate the vulnerability women and children.
- Increasing insecurity, destroyed roads and infrastructure, and lack of proper facilitation of humanitarian missions continue to hinder health access. A sustained and functional deconfliction mechanism is needed to facilitate safe delivery of humanitarian aid across the Gaza Strip, as per International Humanitarian Law.
- Disrupted telecommunication is negatively affecting partners operations and weakening referral mechanisms (community to facility and among facilities).