Gaza patients face long delays for medical evacuation as families grieve lost loved ones

Patients in Gaza are enduring agonizing delays for medical evacuations, leading to tragic losses. The case of Amina Abu al-Kas, who died on May 29 after waiting for treatment, highlights the dire situation. Her son, Saber Abu al-Kas, reported that despite receiving approval for evacuation, the necessary clearances never arrived in time.

Desperate Wait for Medical Treatment

According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, Amina is among 300 Palestinians who have died while waiting for medical evacuations since the ceasefire began in October. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that currently, approximately 15,000 patients are still waiting for treatment abroad, with many suffering from critical conditions.

Saber expressed his anguish, stating, "We knew that at any moment God might take her. And we also knew that at any moment a miracle might happen..." Unfortunately, no miracle occurred in time for Amina.

Challenges in the Evacuation Process

The evacuation process is fraught with obstacles. Patients must first receive approval from Gaza's medical board, followed by security checks from Israel and the host country. Dr. Reinhilde Van de Weerdt, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, noted that many host countries have strict criteria for accepting patients, complicating the situation further.

• Patients must pass security checks by Israel, Egypt/Jordan, and the host nation.
• Only certain types of patients are accepted by recipient countries.
• Patients and companions require visas for treatment.

In early June, Maher Shamia, the acting undersecretary of Gaza's health ministry, pointed to lengthy security screenings and restrictions on the number of departures as primary causes of the delays.

Voices of the Affected Families

Families are gathering in protest against the delays at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Nidal al-Arir cried out for his son, who needs a corneal transplant, while Raeda Nuaizi lamented the inadequacy of painkillers for her cancer treatment. Muath al-Dini, a 14-year-old boy who lost his leg in an airstrike, is also waiting for evacuation.

Muath's mother, Umm Samir al-Dini, shared her frustration, stating, "Before the war, I used to receive treatment outside Gaza... Here, there is no treatment for me." After being told they had security clearance for evacuation, the family has heard nothing further.