Al-Shifa warns of a serious health deterioration in Gaza with the spread of undiagnosed diseases

Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City warned of a serious deterioration in the health situation due to a widespread outbreak of undiagnosed illnesses. The hospital is struggling to cope with the increasing number of patients and is facing a severe shortage of diagnostic and treatment resources.

Dr. Mu’taz Harara, head of the hospital’s Emergency Department, stated that the department has been receiving more than 500 patients daily for the past two weeks. He noted that approximately 200 of these cases are acute respiratory illnesses, accompanied by symptoms including high fever, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, diarrhea, persistent vomiting, coughing, and chest pain.

Dr. Harara explained that the varying severity of symptoms among patients is due to their immune systems. Some recover within two days, while others require hospitalization, particularly those with chronic illnesses.

He added that some patients are transferred to intensive care when available treatments fail to raise their blood oxygen saturation levels. He explained that the Ministry of Health is unable to identify the type of some of the circulating viruses due to a lack of laboratory and diagnostic capabilities. He noted that the recorded cases are neither coronavirus infections nor seasonal influenza, and that the symptoms are more severe than usual, without being able to definitively determine the nature of the causative virus.

According to Harara, the hospital has recorded a significant increase in cases of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted by rodents. Previously, cases were recorded only once every three years, but now they are occurring at two or three cases every two months.

He added, “Living in tents and partially destroyed houses has had a significant and negative impact on weakening immunity. Constant exposure to drafts when leaving the tent, and overcrowding in displacement camps, all contributed to the increased spread of infection.”

He explained that using firewood to light fires inside tents, and the resulting smoke, harms the lungs and exacerbates inflammation. He elaborated, “The smoke from cooking over firewood or plastic worsens symptoms and increases the risk of asthma attacks and chronic conditions.”

Al-Rubaie confirmed that the shortage of medications and delays in treatment led to the deterioration of some cases, with several patients requiring intensive care and some dying due to complications from respiratory illnesses.

He added, “Many cases deteriorated and required intensive care, and some patients died due to weakened immune systems or delays in receiving appropriate treatment. Many more patients face the same fate if the necessary medications and medical equipment are not provided.”