Gaza Herald — Al-Wafa Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation and Specialized Surgery in Gaza announced Monday that it will temporarily suspend several essential medical services beginning Tuesday, September 22, as a severe fuel and operational crisis threatens its ability to continue providing care.
The suspended services include outpatient clinics, surgical procedures, outpatient physical and occupational therapy, and speech and swallowing services.
The hospital warned that a severe shortage of diesel and other fuel needed to operate generators and vehicles has pushed it into a critical operational and humanitarian crisis. It is also struggling to secure oils, tires, spare parts and maintenance supplies needed to keep vehicles and medical equipment functioning.
To preserve its remaining resources, the hospital said it will redirect available supplies toward inpatient care and other essential medical services that cannot be suspended.
Al-Wafa provides specialized medical and rehabilitation care to patients, wounded Palestinians and people with disabilities, making the suspension particularly concerning as Gaza faces growing demand for rehabilitation and long-term treatment.
The hospital warned that the continuing crisis could force it to further reduce its services and threaten its ability to provide medical and rehabilitation care.
It issued an urgent appeal to the World Health Organization, the United Nations and humanitarian and health organizations to provide fuel, oils, spare parts and other essential operational supplies.
The suspension comes amid a broader fuel crisis affecting Gaza’s healthcare system, with hospitals heavily dependent on generators to maintain essential medical services.
Al-Wafa warned that without urgent intervention, more services could be lost at a time when Palestinians across Gaza remain in critical need of medical treatment and rehabilitation.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
