Gaza Herald _In a small structure built from wood and plastic sheeting, dentist Rizq Abu Halima is trying to rebuild the career and clinic he lost during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Where a fully equipped dental center once stood, only rubble remains. In its place, he has established a modest makeshift clinic, determined to continue serving patients despite overwhelming obstacles.
From Modern Medical Center to Improvised Shelter
What was once a modern healthcare facility equipped with advanced dental technology has been reduced to a small kiosk-like space lacking even the most basic necessities. The destruction of Abu Halima’s clinic mirrors the wider collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system, where medical professionals are being forced to start over in extremely difficult conditions.
The dentist recalls operating a comprehensive medical center that included specialized staff, sterilization units, and imaging services before it was destroyed. Among the ruins, only a single medical device could be recovered, which he now relies on to provide limited care to patients.
Healthcare Sector Devastated by Destruction
According to figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, approximately 80 percent of private medical clinics across Gaza have been damaged or destroyed during the war. The scale of the devastation has left hundreds of doctors and healthcare workers attempting to rebuild their practices with minimal resources and little external support.
Many healthcare providers are now operating from temporary structures erected on the sites of demolished clinics, struggling to maintain even basic services for communities whose medical needs continue to grow.
Dental Care Faces Severe Shortages
The dental sector has been particularly affected by the ongoing blockade and supply restrictions. Essential materials, including fillings and treatment supplies, have become scarce, while prices have surged to between five and ten times their prewar levels.
The dramatic increase in costs has placed dental treatment beyond the reach of many families already facing severe economic hardship. At the same time, dentists report critical shortages of root canal materials, cosmetic dental products, and prosthetic supplies.
Patients and Doctors Confront an Impossible Reality
With limited equipment and scarce resources, many practitioners can do little more than provide temporary relief for patients suffering from severe pain. The shortage extends beyond dental supplies to include basic medications and painkillers, further complicating treatment efforts.
Healthcare workers say they are often forced to postpone procedures or rely on improvised solutions because essential materials are simply unavailable.
Calls for Urgent International Intervention
Abu Halima has appealed to international organizations and humanitarian agencies to take immediate action to address Gaza’s worsening medical crisis. He stressed that the regular entry of medical supplies and equipment is essential not only to lower costs but also to ensure safe and effective healthcare for Gaza’s population.
As Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure continues to struggle under the weight of destruction and shortages, doctors working from makeshift clinics remain on the front lines, attempting to preserve what remains of a system that has been pushed to the brink of collapse.
