Gaza’s healthcare system is struggling to cope with a significant increase in the number of people living with disabilities, a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict, according to Dr. Munir al-Bursh, Director General of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. The situation is further exacerbated by restrictions on the entry of prosthetic limbs.
Dr. al-Bursh emphasized that disabilities in Gaza are often the result of violence, caused by shelling, shrapnel, or collapsing buildings. Tragically, many children have lost limbs before even learning to walk.
Prior to the recent hostilities, Gaza had approximately 55,000 people with disabilities, with males accounting for 53% and children 18%. However, the recent conflict has added over 7,000 new cases, including a staggering 6,000 amputations, figures corroborated by the Ministry of Health in Gaza and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The situation is dire. Dr. al-Bursh revealed that 18,500 patients require medical referrals abroad, including 1,200 people with disabilities. However, border closures prevent access to essential treatment, effectively extinguishing hope for recovery.
Adding to the crisis, vital prosthetic centers, including the Hamad Hospital for Artificial Limbs, have been damaged during the conflict. Furthermore, the entry of prosthetic limbs into Gaza is reportedly being blocked. The conflict has also claimed the lives of skilled professionals trained in the production of prosthetic limbs.
A Near-Complete Absence of Prosthetics
Dr. al-Bursh highlighted the near-complete absence of prosthetic limbs in Gaza due to import restrictions. He estimates that over 18% of those injured, totaling around 170,000 people, require long-term treatment and rehabilitation, demanding urgent international attention.
On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry of Health in Gaza described the shocking conditions faced by amputees in the region, emphasizing that 6,000 cases require immediate and long-term rehabilitation programs. The ministry also revealed that children account for 25% of all amputation cases, facing lifelong disabilities at a young age. The ministry is urgently appealing to relevant international organizations for increased support and attention to this critical situation.
