Kuwait Field Hospital in Gaza has decided to suspend most of its services from next Sunday after its fuel supply is cut off. The hospital administration said the decision followed an official notification from the World Health Organization that fuel deliveries would be halted.
From that date, surgical operations, obstetrics and gynecology services, outpatient services outside the hospital, treatment procedures, radiology and laboratory activities will no longer be provided. Advanced wound care, dental treatment, diabetic foot care, ambulance services and patient transfers will also be suspended.
The hospital's operations will be limited to the general emergency department, which will accept only highly urgent cases, and the emergency maternity unit. The administration warned that the restrictions would deprive thousands of Palestinians of treatment and essential health services every day.
Fuel pressure on Gaza's health system
The hospital said the crisis had been compounded by shortages of medicines and medical consumables, as well as shortages of engine and machine oils, spare parts, vehicle tires and fuel. These shortages have brought the operation of generators, ambulances and medical transport vehicles to the brink of stopping.
Kuwait Field Hospital's administration called on the World Health Organization, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and international health organizations to intervene to prevent further deterioration of the health system in the Gaza Strip.
Fuel deliveries to more than 20 health facilities to be halted
Munir al-Bursh, director general of Gaza's Ministry of Health, said several days ago that the World Health Organization would halt diesel fuel deliveries to more than 20 hospitals and health centers from September 19 because of insufficient funding.
Hospitals depend on generator power
Generators provide the electricity required by vital hospital departments and medical equipment in the Gaza Strip. In the area, where the electricity grid has been completely out of service since October 2023 because of continuing attacks, hospitals have been meeting their electricity needs with generators for nearly three years.
Government sources in Gaza said that technical and mechanical failures occasionally occur in the generators. With the required spare parts prevented from entering the area, maintenance and repairs are being carried out temporarily using used or substitute parts.
The inability to obtain the fuel needed to operate the generators is making it even more difficult for hospitals to continue generating electricity.
