Gaza – Saba:
The Director of Sheikh Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics in Gaza, Dr. Ahmad Naeem, confirmed on Wednesday that the hospital is under increasing pressure due to the growing number of injuries resulting from the ongoing Israeli aggression.
In press statements, Naeem said the hospital receives around 200 cases daily, ranging from rehabilitation injuries to amputations , auditory and balance disorders, according to the Palestine Online website.
He pointed out that the aggression has led to a sharp surge of over 225% in amputation cases, with more than 6,500 new amputations recorded since the beginning of the assault — compared to around 2,000 cases prior to October 2023.
Naeem noted that the hospital’s current annual capacity is limited to producing just 150 prosthetic limbs, meaning it would take over 20 years to meet the current demand unless capacity is expanded.
He added that the hospital administration is working to increase production to around 500 prosthetics per year, but the Israeli blockade continues to prevent the entry of essential materials, further deepening the crisis.
He also highlighted the severe shortage of specialized staff, who are working at maximum capacity. Efforts are ongoing to train local talent and seek external technical support to strengthen the medical teams.
With U.S. and European support, the Israeli occupation forces have continued their genocidal campaign in Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in the killing of 61,158 Palestinian civilians — the majority of them children and women — and the injury of 151,442 others, according to the latest figures. Thousands remain trapped under the rubble or on the streets, unreachable by rescue and medical teams.
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