The hospital where Sabha and Khan were stationed was experiencing a strain as it was designed for 200 people but housed over 10,000, according to Sabha. Many patients suffered severe injuries and needed amputations, with nowhere else to go. Sabha mentioned the insufficient bathroom facilities, with only one bathroom for every 200 to 300 people, and doctors having to create makeshift emergency room settings.
Patients arriving at the emergency room had to be seen on the ground due to the lack of beds. Sabha, fasting for Ramadan, saw 20 to 30 patients a day surviving on four hours of sleep and two protein bars. Limited resources due to Gaza’s siege since October 7 meant working with scarce medication and instruments, forcing doctors to be creative and step out of their comfort zones.
Khan explained the challenges of using the wrong implants due to limited supplies for treating fractures. The crumbling infrastructure in Gaza from constant bombings led to unstable buildings and a lack of sanitation facilities, breeding rampant mosquitoes. The accumulation of garbage created a pervasive smell throughout the area, making it a challenging environment to work in.