[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 11, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT

Samantha Kupferman, +1 202-215-9620

[email protected]

MedGlobal Calls on ICRC to Evacuate All Remaining Medical Staff and Patients from Kamal Adwan Hospital to Safety  

One of the last partially functioning hospitals in northern Gaza is besieged under bombing, and without adequate medical supplies, electricity, or communication. 

GAZA CITY – There are currently 12 medical staff members and 25 patients, as well as approximately 7,000 civilians, many of them are injured, who sought refuge at Kamal Adwan hospital in the city of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. MedGlobal is calling on the International Committee of the Red Cross for a safe and immediate evacuation of all staff, patients, and potentially all consenting civilians at the hospital to southern Gaza. 

MedGlobal’s lead Pediatrician, Dr. Hussam Abu Safyia, is one of 5 doctors remaining at the hospital, who would not evacuate, and leave his patients behind. Kamal Adwan has been one of the last partially functioning hospitals in northern Gaza, as the others have been forced to close due to bombing, forced evacuation, and depleted medical supplies. 

Only 14 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are still operating, and that only partially. Of those, 12 hospitals are in the southern part of the enclave, where most people have fled.

Dr. Hussam Abu Safyia, sent an SOS message pleading for help: “It had been a long nightmare. I’ve seen many colleagues die, and countless children lose their lives needlessly. The team at Kamal Adwan is exhausted. We have done all we can for our patients and community for as long as we could. Evacuation is the only way right now.”

Dr. Zaher Sahloul, the president of MedGlobal stated: “We urge the ICRC to discharge its responsibilities as mandated by its mission and Geneva Conventions, to coordinate with all parties, and facilitate the evacuation of all patients and medical staff of Kamal Adwan hospital, and providing necessary safe medical transports and ambulances for the wounded.”  

More than 17,000 people are reported to have died in Gaza, including 7000 children. More than 46,000 injuries have been reported. 1.9 million people have been displaced. Almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip are looking for shelter anywhere they can find it but nowhere and no one is safe in Gaza, according to the WHO in its latest report. 

MedGlobal has called for adherence to international humanitarian law and medical neutrality, an immediate and sustained humanitarian ceasefire, and for unrestricted adequate humanitarian and medical aid into Gaza from all available border-crossings. 

Since 2018, MedGlobal has been working in Gaza through its local team to strengthen the healthcare system, donating medical equipment and supplies, sending medical and surgical missions, supporting mobile clinics, training doctors and nurses, and supporting hospitals, clinics, wound care centers, and dialysis centers in partnership with the local community.

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MedGlobal is a humanitarian nonprofit organization that provides emergency response and health programs to build resilience among vulnerable communities around the world.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]