A recent study on the consequences of the Gaza conflict highlights the urgent need for a coordinated international response to address the healthcare crisis.
The study conducted by Dr Chokri Kooli, University of Ottawa, Canada and Eya Kooli, Royal Military college of Canada, Kingston, Canada, is published in the latest volume of the international journal, Avicenna and featured on QScience. com.
Titled ‘The humanitarian and public health crisis in Gaza: Impact, challenges, and international responses’ the study also calls for emergency measures to provide humanitarian aid and rebuild healthcare systems in Gaza. It notes that long-term efforts must focus on building resilient health infrastructure, ensuring access to essential medical care, and addressing the mental health needs of the population.
The study examined the far-reaching public health consequences of the Gaza conflict, with a focus on the destruction of healthcare infrastructure, the rise in communicable diseases, and the psychological trauma affecting the population.
According to the authors of the research, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalated to unprecedented levels with devastating impacts on civilians and the healthcare infrastructure as the years of the blockade and the recent military aggression have led to the collapse of Gaza's health system and deepened the region's public health crisis.
A qualitative analysis was conducted using secondary data from peer-reviewed journal articles, reports from international humanitarian organisations, and official statistics. Thematic analysis identified key challenges, including the impact of infrastructural collapse, barriers to medical care, and the consequences of prolonged conflict on mental and physical health.
The study used a comprehensive approach to investigate the multifaceted public health impacts of the conflict in Gaza. Data collection included an extensive review of reports from international humanitarian organisations, peer-reviewed journal articles, and official statistics provided by UN and other relevant organisations. Secondary data were collected from peer-reviewed articles, reports from Médecins Sans Frontières, the WHO, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
The findings, as per the study, indicate the destruction of hospitals, roads, and ambulances has severely disrupted medical services and left tens of thousands without medical care. Chronic lack of medical supplies, clean water, and electricity further aggravates the crisis. Additionally, communicable diseases and psychological trauma have reached critical levels, disproportionately affecting children and vulnerable populations.
The destruction of Gaza's critical infrastructure has compounded the healthcare crisis as one of the most significant consequences of the conflict has been the overwhelming number of casualties.
The authors point out that critical life-saving surgeries are being delayed or cancelled because hospitals lack power or face shortages of medical equipment, further jeopardising the lives of thousands of people. Moreover, Gaza's access to essential medicines and medical supplies has been drastically restricted.
They have concluded that the situation calls for the urgent need for a coordinated international response to address the healthcare crisis in Gaza. Emergency measures should include providing humanitarian aid, and rebuilding healthcare systems.
