War and severe shortages have pushed Gaza hospitals to the brink, leaving patients without vital dialysis, rehabilitation, and mental health care.
War and Medical Shortages Push Gaza Hospitals to the Edge
Gaza’s healthcare system is facing one of the most severe crises in its history as ongoing conflict, damaged medical infrastructure, and shortages of essential supplies continue to affect thousands of patients. Hospitals that once served large communities are now struggling to provide even the most basic treatments, leaving people with chronic illnesses, traumatic injuries, and mental health conditions in increasingly difficult situations.
Among the patients relying on lifesaving treatment is 14-year-old Ruwaa, who travels regularly for kidney dialysis. Every treatment session is critical to her survival. Her father watches over her during each appointment, hoping the hospital can continue operating despite limited equipment and medical supplies.
Before becoming ill, Ruwaa enjoyed an active childhood. Today, repeated surgeries and regular dialysis have become part of her daily life. Missing even one treatment session can lead to severe fatigue, breathing difficulties, and other serious complications. Like many families in Gaza, her parents face uncertainty every week as hospitals struggle to maintain essential medical services.
The shortage of dialysis supplies has placed enormous pressure on healthcare facilities. Many dialysis machines are no longer operational because of limited access to the materials required for treatment. As a result, hospitals have reduced both the number and length of dialysis sessions, forcing patients to receive less care than doctors recommend.
Medical professionals warn that these reductions increase the risk of life-threatening complications, including heart problems, lung issues, dangerously high potassium levels, and worsening kidney failure. Hundreds of patients depend on functioning dialysis units, yet available resources continue to decline.
For some patients, a kidney transplant could offer a permanent solution. However, access to specialized treatment outside Gaza remains extremely limited, causing long delays for families waiting for life-changing medical procedures.
The healthcare crisis extends far beyond kidney disease. Thousands of people have suffered severe injuries during the conflict, including amputations and permanent disabilities. Although emergency surgeries save lives, long-term rehabilitation remains one of the biggest challenges facing survivors.
Rehabilitation centers report significant shortages of prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, crutches, and other mobility aids. Demand has risen dramatically while supplies remain scarce, forcing many patients to wait months before receiving the equipment they need to regain independence.
Physiotherapists explain that rehabilitation requires more than medical treatment alone. Without proper mobility devices, patients struggle to rebuild strength, improve movement, and return to daily activities. Limited equipment slows recovery and often leaves individuals dependent on family members for basic tasks.
One patient who recently received a prosthetic limb after months of waiting described how dramatically it improved his quality of life. After losing a leg during the conflict, he was unable to work or move independently. Receiving a prosthetic allowed him to regain some mobility, but he remains concerned for thousands of others still waiting for similar support.
Children who have lost limbs face particularly difficult challenges. Many continue growing without access to properly fitted prosthetic devices, affecting both their physical development and emotional well-being. Healthcare workers say early rehabilitation is essential, but shortages continue to delay treatment.
Alongside physical injuries, mental health needs have increased significantly across Gaza. Continuous displacement, loss of loved ones, destruction of homes, and ongoing insecurity have left many residents experiencing emotional trauma.
Young adults and children alike report symptoms including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, panic attacks, recurring nightmares, and difficulty concentrating. Many families are coping with grief while also trying to rebuild their daily lives under extremely challenging conditions.
Mental health professionals continue providing counseling and psychological support despite operating under difficult circumstances. Limited resources, high demand, safety concerns, and damaged facilities make delivering consistent care increasingly challenging. Even so, specialists emphasize that emotional recovery is just as important as physical healing.
Healthcare workers stress that addressing the crisis requires restoring medical infrastructure, improving access to essential medicines, increasing supplies of rehabilitation equipment, and expanding psychological support services. Without sustained improvements, hospitals will continue struggling to meet the growing needs of patients across the region.
The situation highlights the importance of protecting healthcare services during humanitarian emergencies. Reliable access to dialysis, rehabilitation, emergency treatment, mental health care, and essential medicines remains critical for thousands of civilians whose lives depend on functioning medical facilities. As hospitals continue working under immense pressure, patients and healthcare professionals alike hope for improved access to lifesaving resources and long-term medical support.
