The Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City witnessed scenes of chaos as Dr. Nada Abu Al-Rub attended to patients on Tuesday. Among them was a young boy who had his leg amputated and suffered burns all over his body from a nearby explosion. With the department running out of gauze, Al-Rub improvised with the last remaining supplies to treat his burns.
Walking through the hospital, Al-Rub encountered steel beds without mattresses lining the walls, with patients and their families awaiting medical attention. Another patient, an elderly man, arrived with severe internal injuries after his home was bombed, including a shredded liver and leg fractures held together with steel spokes.
Volunteering with the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association, Al-Rub described the dire conditions in Gaza City as beyond anything she had imagined. The hospital was overwhelmed with patients and displaced individuals seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict.
Medical staff worked tirelessly to treat victims of the war, even as the hospital faced shortages and bombardments. Al-Rub highlighted the complexity of injuries, particularly brain-related, and the challenging decisions made to prioritize patients based on survival chances due to limited resources.
Despite the destruction and constant sound of drones overhead, Al-Rub remained committed to providing care in the midst of the ongoing crisis. The escalating violence in Gaza City led to the closure of two hospitals, exacerbating the strain on the already fragile healthcare system.
As she continued her rounds, Al-Rub reflected on the hope for peace to end the suffering and devastation inflicted on the people of Gaza. The urgent need for a resolution to the conflict weighed heavily on her as she worked to save lives in the war-torn region.
