Critical Situation in Avde Hospital
Avde Hospital Spokesperson Muhammed al-Shatli, in a statement to Anadolu Agency, expressed the difficulties faced by the hospital. “We are experiencing shortages of medicine and medical supplies, as well as oxygen and fuel to run backup electricity generators. This situation negatively affects the functioning of hospital departments and staff, and therefore the lives of patients and the injured,” Shatli said.
Shatli stated that Avde Hospital, like other health and service institutions serving in the Gaza Strip, has faced a series of challenges as a result of the devastating attacks carried out by Israel since October 7, 2023. Noting that there are only six beds in the hospital’s emergency department, Shatli said, “Approximately 500 patients and injured people are admitted to the hospital daily. There is a huge imbalance between the number of patients and injured people requiring emergency care and the bed capacity.”
Şatli, who explained that they set up tents to increase the hospital’s capacity, said, “This temporary solution does not fully meet the urgent need for a real expansion of the hospital.” Şatli emphasized that many patients and injured people need surgical interventions, and noted that there are enough surgeons and specialists to meet these demands.
Pointing out that the current capacity of the hospital is insufficient, Şatli said, “Lack of medical equipment and the absence of devices such as endoscopes and CR-ray machines further reduce the service capacity of the hospital.”
Expansion of Hospital Services
Avde Hospital Spokesperson Shatli said that in order to expand and improve hospital services, the Al-Awde Association, which operates the hospital, is working to establish a field hospital with a capacity of 65 beds and a capacity of 105 beds. Noting that Avde Hospital is the only institution in the central region of Gaza for obstetrics and gynecology, Shatli said, “Since the beginning of the Israeli attacks, the number of visitors to the obstetrics and gynecology department has reached approximately 40,000. In addition, 7,000 natural births and 1,200 cesareans have been recorded.”
Şatli added that Avde Hospital has accepted a total of approximately 62 thousand people, including 8 thousand injured and 1,700 martyrs, since the start of the October 7 attacks.
