Cancer Patients in Gaza Face Dire Conditions Amid Ongoing Conflict
In Gaza, the health crisis has reached alarming levels as cancer patients like Nizar Al-Muslimi and Sanaa Abu Al-Aish struggle for basic medical care amidst the chaos of war. Nizar, a 65-year-old man, was forced to flee his home in Beit Lahia due to escalating violence and has since fallen into a coma at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis. His family, displaced multiple times, attributes his rapid health decline to the stress and trauma of displacement, compounded by a lack of essential medical treatment. After undergoing a tumor removal operation, Nizar's condition deteriorated significantly when the hospital was evacuated, leading to a loss of critical tumor samples needed for further diagnosis.
Sanaa, a 58-year-old widow and cancer patient, faces a similar plight. Displaced from Rafah, she now lives in a semi-destroyed hall in Khan Yunis with her family. Sanaa's health has worsened due to the lack of access to medications and proper nutrition, a situation exacerbated by the ongoing war and siege. With her financial resources dwindling, she struggles to afford basic necessities, let alone the specialized care she requires.
The situation for cancer patients in Gaza is dire, with the only specialized cancer hospital, Al-Sadaka, rendered inoperable due to military actions. Dr. Subhi Skeik, the hospital's director, estimates that over 11,000 cancer patients are trapped in Gaza, many of whom are unable to receive the treatment they desperately need. The ongoing conflict has not only increased the number of new cancer cases but also made it nearly impossible for patients to access essential care.
As the world observes October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the reality for cancer patients in Gaza starkly contrasts with global awareness campaigns. With limited resources and a healthcare system on the brink of collapse, these patients face not only their illnesses but also the compounded challenges of displacement and inadequate living conditions.
