**Gaza’s Healthcare System on Brink of Collapse: Doctor Shares Harrowing Experience**
In a distressing account, Dr. Lennon, an emergency medicine consultant from Royal Derby Hospital, has shared his experience working at a field hospital in Gaza. The doctor, who spent three weeks in the territory as part of a UK-Med placement, described the scale and severity of injuries he witnessed as “the worst I’ve ever seen.”
Dr. Lennon’s work in Gaza was marked by constant noise from Israeli aircraft, artillery blasts, and weapons fire. Despite being located in a deconfliction zone, where an agreement between Israeli forces and Palestinian forces ensured that the location would not be targeted, the doctor and his team still faced significant risks.
On his second full day in the territory, Dr. Lennon was involved in treating patients from a “mass casualty incident.” He recalled seeing people with amputations and those who were dying despite medical attention. Children as young as three years old suffered significant injuries, leaving the doctor shaken.
**The Human Cost of Conflict**
Dr. Lennon’s experience highlights the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians, particularly children. The field hospital he worked at was not equipped to handle such a large number of patients with severe injuries. The lack of resources and supplies further exacerbated the situation.
**Supply Issues Plague Gaza’s Healthcare System**
The doctor also spoke about the challenges his team faced in resupplying medical equipment and consumables. Despite having sufficient stocks of bandages and medications, sourcing blood testing kits proved to be a significant challenge. This shortage highlights the precarious state of Gaza’s healthcare system, which is struggling to cope with the demands of conflict.
**UK-Med’s Efforts to Support Gaza’s Healthcare System**
Since January 2024, UK-Med teams have treated nearly 400,000 patients in two field hospitals in Gaza. These teams, funded by the UK Government and working alongside Palestinian healthcare professionals, have provided emergency surgery, maternity care, and treatment for chronic diseases exacerbated by conflict.
As Dr. Lennon prepares to return to Derby next Monday, he expressed mixed emotions about leaving behind the people he has come to know and respect. His account serves as a powerful reminder of the need to tell the stories of those affected by conflict and to support the healthcare system in Gaza.
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