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Humanitarian Challenges in a War Zone: A Surgeon’s Experience in Gaza
I never anticipated that my career as a transplant surgeon in a busy London hospital would lead me to an operating table in Gaza, confronted with the devastating reality of a child on the brink of death. Last August, while volunteering with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) at Nasser Hospital, I found myself in a precarious situation where we had completely run out of gauze swabs. In those dire moments, I was forced to intervene by using my hands to stem the bleeding, overwhelmed by the fear of losing the child. Thankfully, she survived, though many others were not as fortunate.
After retiring from the NHS, I chose to offer surgical assistance in Gaza, driven by the dire need for medical support in the region. My tenure in London had been challenging yet fulfilling, and as a senior colleague within the transplant community, I was accustomed to a degree of regard. However, the reality in Gaza was far beyond anything I had prepared for.
Upon entering the region, our convoy led by Sven, a notably large Swedish man in a bright floral shirt, began with a stark reminder to stay safe. It was soon underscored by incidents where our vehicles were fired upon just days later, illustrating the perilous nature of the environment. Gaza is currently labeled one of the world’s most dangerous locations for aid workers, with over 300 aid workers and 1,000 healthcare workers reported killed amidst ongoing conflict.
The drive through southern Gaza mirrored unsettling imagery reminiscent of post-war devastation, with flattened buildings as far as the eye could see. Upon arrival at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the scene was one of chaotic, medieval-like conditions. Wards were overcrowded, with beds practically piled against one another, and patients spilling onto filthy mattresses on balconies, as hygiene standards had significantly deteriorated. Essential supplies such as soap and medical materials were severely restricted, leading to alarming health risks, including severe wound infections and cases where maggots were found in injuries.
The hospital’s environment was continuously shaken by the sounds of aerial bombardments nearby, a grim reminder of the dangers present. Having been struck previously in an attack that resulted in casualties among both patients and staff, the emergency department transformed daily into a scene of devastation during mass casualty events, often receiving dozens of critically injured individuals who arrived after such incidents.
Operating under near-constant threat with some shifts extending over 24 hours, the pressure was immense. The local staff exhibited extraordinary commitment amidst their struggles, often sheltered in makeshift tents lacking basic amenities. Despite the everyday chaos surrounding us, the hospital remained a place of treatment devoid of any visible presence from Hamas, allowing us to focus on the patients.
Images of innocent children, wounded and vulnerable, will forever haunt my memory. I recall operating on a seven-year-old named Amer, who had been struck by gunfire from drones targeting civilians fleeing aerial bombardments. His critical injuries invoked a mixture of relief and sorrow as he survived—a fortunate outcome amid a backdrop of suffering, where many children faced similarly harrowing fates.
Our focus was primarily on women and children, with particularly distressing cases of children suffering head wounds indicating deliberate sniper attacks. Reports from medical professionals, including 30 UK doctors and nurses, have highlighted these atrocities, drawing a parallel with sentiments expressed by health workers from the US who wrote to their government regarding witnessed attacks. The pervasive feeling among Palestinians is one of existential threat, with findings from various human rights organizations suggesting that Israeli military actions may equate to genocide, a serious charge that merits thorough consideration.
My experience in conflict zones has exposed me to civilian casualties, yet the scale and brutality observed in Gaza stand apart from recent historical conflicts. The human cost of this war transcends previous experiences, illustrating a catastrophic level of destruction and trauma.
Even with the prospects of a ceasefire, which appears increasingly uncertain, the recovery of Gaza will be a long and arduous journey—not just physically, but also in reconstructing a fractured society. I fervently hope for a brighter future for young Amer and countless others caught in this cycle of violence.
As our convoy departed last September, I was left grappling with guilt for returning to a comfortable life while many faced hunger and nightly fears of violence. This burden evolved into a profound shame toward my government, which has shown reluctance to condemn Israel’s actions and has continued arms sales amidst the conflict.
Political maneuvering may sometimes necessitate difficult compromises, yet there are moral lines that should remain inviolable regardless of political implications. The situation in Gaza poses a significant ethical challenge to the leadership of today, one that has not been met with the requisite courage. While bombardments have ceased for the moment, the urgency to hold accountable those who perpetrate such heinous acts remains undiminished.
Nizam Mamode is a humanitarian surgeon and retired professor of transplant surgery who volunteered in Gaza with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) in August and September 2024.
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Source
www.theguardian.com