'It's really hard to have any hope': Gaza doctor describes daily struggle

In the Gaza Strip, life has become incredibly challenging for many residents, particularly for healthcare workers like Dr. Wissam Sukkar. She describes her daily existence as feeling like a nightmare that never ends. Dressed in a pink headscarf and a pink sweater, Dr. Sukkar navigates through the rubble of destroyed buildings on her way home. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has severely impacted healthcare in Gaza, making it difficult for doctors to provide the necessary care. The BBC followed Dr. Sukkar during her shift at a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic, where she faces numerous obstacles. By 7:30 AM, Dr. Sukkar is already on her way to the clinic, a journey that takes her about 50 minutes on foot due to the lack of available taxis and fuel. She states, 'With our limited resources, we are still trying to be here in northern Gaza through these difficult times. ' According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 21 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are currently operational, and medical supplies are critically low due to the ongoing blockade imposed by Israel. Dr. Sukkar points to the remnants of her former workplace, a burns clinic that was damaged during the early weeks of the war. Her team has since converted an office into a makeshift clinic, and by 9:30 AM, there are already around 150 patients waiting outside in a tented area. Dr. Sukkar expresses her concern about the healthcare system's collapse, stating that she does not know where to refer complicated cases. Most of her patients are displaced individuals living in shelters or tents on the streets. Since a ceasefire ended a month ago, thousands of Gazans have fled their homes again in search of safety. The lack of food and clean water has led to an increase in malnutrition and various diseases, particularly affecting the elderly and children. The first patients of the day are often babies suffering from viral infections. Dr. Sukkar explains, 'We receive many children with upper respiratory infections and diarrhea. In the shelters, many children are in close quarters, allowing viruses to spread quickly. ' One toddler arrives with mosquito bites on his face, and Dr. Sukkar applies soothing cream to alleviate his discomfort. As families resort to using open fires for cooking due to the lack of cooking gas, there has been a rise in serious burn cases. Within just an hour, Dr. Sukkar and her colleagues have seen dozens of patients, but they struggle to provide adequate care for everyone. 'We face more challenges with the increasing number of patients and dwindling medical supplies,' she says wearily. 'We also receive complicated cases, and we don’t know where to refer these patients because the health system in Gaza has collapsed. ' Since last Sunday, there has been a surge in seriously injured patients arriving at the clinic. This increase follows Israel's accusation that Hamas was using a hospital as a command center, a claim that Hamas has denied. The Al-Ahli hospital, which was the primary facility for treating trauma patients in northern Gaza, can no longer accept new patients. The WHO reports that the emergency room, laboratory, X-ray machines, and pharmacy at Al-Ahli were all destroyed. One patient, Saeed Barkat, recounts his experience of being treated at two hospitals that were subsequently attacked. He arrives at the MSF clinic on crutches, stating, 'I started my treatment at one hospital, then I was transferred to Al-Ahli, and they bombed it. ' Saeed has a fractured thigh bone and is in significant pain. Dr. Sukkar checks the small pharmacy at the clinic and becomes worried as she notices that many shelves are empty. Israel closed all crossings to Gaza at the beginning of March, claiming it was pressuring Hamas to release hostages. Since then, no aid has entered Gaza. Dr. Sukkar laments, 'For diabetes, we don’t have insulin; we don’t have treatments for epilepsy; we don’t have basic medicines like anti-fever drugs. ' The doctors are forced to ration the supplies that remain. Dr. Sukkar also struggles to secure clean water and food for her own children. She states, 'We are doing our best to ensure that our supplies will last for the coming week, but we expect that our stock will run out in about two weeks. ' Soon, Dr. Sukkar returns to her consultation room, where the flow of patients continues. Many more sick children arrive, suffering from coughs, fevers, and stomach issues. By 3:30 PM, it is time to close the clinic for the day. The four doctors working there estimate that they have seen nearly 390 patients. After a long and exhausting day, Dr. Sukkar faces the long walk home. As she leaves the clinic, she calls her family. Her thoughts turn to her own children, who have been displaced with her nine times in the past year and a half. 'Like every Gazan, I have a daily struggle to secure clean water and food for my kids,' she says. 'We don’t have electricity, so it’s really hard even to charge my phone. ' Dr. Sukkar concludes, 'Most of all, it’s really hard to have any hope. I feel like I live in a nightmare that doesn’t end. When will this war end? ' For now, there is no answer and no relief in sight.