Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital faces imminent fuel depletion: MSF

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Oct 2023 17:59
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The lack of power poses a critical threat to patients, especially those in intensive care, neonatology, and life support machines.

Wounded Palestinians sit in al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, after arriving from al-Ahli hospital following an explosion there, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 (AP)

The main hospital in Gaza City, Al-Shifa Hospital, is set to exhaust its electricity supply in the next 24 hours, as reported by Guillemette Thomas, the medical coordinator for Palestine at Doctors Without Borders, on Friday.

Where patient care is already deteriorating, the hospital stands out as one of the few places still equipped with electricity in war-torn Gaza, she added.

The lack of power poses a critical threat to patients, especially those in intensive care, neonatology, and life support machines.

Moreover, individuals with chronic illnesses like diabetes and cancer, as well as pregnant women, face heightened risks due to the scarcity of medicines.

Alors que la taille maximale d'accueil de l'Hôpital Al Shifa de #Gaza est de 700 lits, les soignants doivent faire face à l'afflux de milliers de blessés. « Le système se soin est sur le point de s’effondrer », déclare le Dr. Nedal Abed, Chirurgien orthopédique #MSF à Gaza . pic.twitter.com/TZdPlrPgZh
— MSF France (@MSF_france) October 19, 2023

Aid still blocked

On Friday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres complained that the aid trucks were still unable to reach the Palestinians in Gaza.

Upon visiting the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, he stressed the urgent need to "make a move" and act swiftly to provide urgent care for the 2 million people living in Gaza.

Although President Biden announced that 20 trucks would be allowed to enter Gaza in an agreement with "Israel", none of them have made it across the border so far.

As the administration readies an immediate budget proposal for Congress to provide aid to both "Israel" and Ukraine, President Biden delivered a speech in the Oval Office aimed at persuading Congress and the American public that it's crucial to sustain support for both allies.