American Doctors Report Israeli Restrictions Hinder Gaza Medical Care
American medical professionals report that Israeli restrictions on personnel and equipment are causing delayed diagnoses and child deaths in Gaza.
American doctors operating in Gaza report that Israeli restrictions on medical supplies and personnel are severely hindering patient care three years into the conflict. Medical professionals, including pulmonologist Nahreen Ahmed, neurologist Arif Husain, and pediatrician Nada Mallick, state that Israel arbitrarily decides which doctors may enter and bans essential equipment, such as portable ultrasounds and spare parts for CAT scan machines.
These shortages force doctors to make critical clinical decisions based on judgment rather than imaging, leading to delayed diagnoses for time-sensitive conditions like strokes. Dr. Mallick highlighted the impact of chronic malnutrition in children, noting a case where a nine-month-old died of a heart attack due to nutritional deficiencies and a lack of specialized formula.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli military body controlling the border crossing, stated that over 24,000 tons of medical supplies have entered Gaza since a ceasefire began a year ago. However, the agency did not address specific claims regarding banned items or the arbitrary restriction of medical personnel.
