Gaza Strip: Ad hoc specialised surgeries

The number of people in the Gaza Strip suffering the after-effects of serious injuries has increased in recent years. However, with the embargo currently in effect, it is very difficult to obtain access to appropriate, specialised care. In July 2010, Médecins Sans Frontières signed an agreement with the Gaza health authorities and opened a reconstructive surgery program. In September 2011, 24 patients received treatment through an ad hoc hand surgery mission. © MSF

The number of people in the Gaza Strip suffering the after-effects of serious injuries has increased in recent years. However, with the embargo currently in effect, it is very difficult to obtain access to appropriate, specialised care. In July 2010, Médecins Sans Frontières signed an agreement with the Gaza health authorities and opened a reconstructive surgery program. In September 2011, 24 patients received treatment through an ad hoc hand surgery mission.

Following the Israeli military's December 2008 "Cast Lead" offensive and with a growing number of domestic accidents, many Gaza residents suffer from disabling wounds that require reconstructive surgery, also known as non-emergency or revision surgery, after their initial medical-surgical treatment. Highly-specialised surgery is required for very complicated cases.

It is difficult to obtain such specialised care in the Gaza Strip today. Patients must wait for months to obtain permission to leave and undergo surgery in a third country (including Jordan, Israel and Egypt). As a result of the Israeli embargo and restrictions on travel and movement, Gazan doctors and surgeons are also unable to leave the Territory to obtain training and/or refresher courses abroad.

In July 2010, Médecins Sans Frontières signed an agreement with the Gaza health authorities and opened a reconstructive surgery program. Several times a year, Médecins Sans Frontières teams composed of surgeons, operating room nurses and anesthetists conduct ad hoc missions, during which they work closely with surgeons and hospital teams from Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Our patients have complicated injuries or severe burns that affect the normal use of their limbs. After their surgery, they receive rehabilitation treatment (bandages and physical therapy) in one of Médecins Sans Frontières’ two clinics in Gaza. The objective is to ease their pain, help them to recover adequate mobility and, to the extent possible, reduce the social and psychological impacts of their wounds.

In September 2011, a French hand surgeon joined the Médecins Sans Frontières program. Over five days, the joint team operated on 24 patients suffering from the after-effects of burns, hand wounds, skin contracture (axillary, elbows and hands), finger amputations and syndactylism (a congenital malformation characterised by attachment and the partial or complete fusion of two or more fingers or toes).

This kind of joint program also provides an opportunity for Médecins Sans Frontières staff and Gaza doctors to exchange and share medical, surgical and anesthetic techniques, particularly with regard to treating young children.

* Because fuel supplies in the Gaza Strip are limited, its only electrical power plant has slowed operation. Power interruptions occur daily.  As a result, the population makes do with the resources at hand - generators, contraband gas canisters, candles and oil lamps.  Their use can result in serious domestic accidents.