Since the war began in October 2023, Ahli, the only Christian-led hospital in Gaza, has seen its capacity increase from 50 to as many as 250 beds to meet overwhelming medical needs. Staff face tremendous pressure as many specialized nurses and doctors fled south, leaving the hospital with no anesthesiologist and only one radiologist for the entire region of northern Gaza.
Even after the recent ceasefire, the hospital continues to care for 100-120 patients daily and performs roughly 1,000 surgeries each month, including orthopedic, plastic, vascular, and general surgeries. Dr. Maher emphasizes severe shortages of staff, medicine, equipment, and fuel, noting that the hospital requires 1,000 liters of fuel per day to keep generators running.
Today, Ahli Hospital operates the only functioning ICU in Gaza with just three beds to serve more than half a million people. Despite these immense pressures, the hospital remains a lifeline for vulnerable populations.
“We pray all the time to reach peace in this area.” – Dr. Maher Ayyad, Medical Director of Al Ahli Arab Hospital
Source link: https://afedj.org/an-update-from-dr-maher-ayyad-on-the-current-situation-at-al-ahli-arab-hospital/
By afedj.org
