Gaza Herald – In a notable medical achievement under extremely fragile conditions, a surgical team at Al-Shifa Medical Complex successfully saved a young child from the risk of permanent motor disability, despite severe shortages in medical resources and the near-total collapse of the healthcare system in the Strip.
The team performed a complex hip joint operation on two-and-a-half-year-old Yaman Barakat after his condition deteriorated due to prolonged delays in receiving treatment. The child had been referred for medical care abroad، but border closures and strict movement restrictions prevented him from traveling, leading to a steady worsening of his condition.
His mother described the decision to proceed with surgery in Gaza as a necessary risk, emphasizing that any further delay would likely have resulted in lifelong disability.
A turning point came with the return of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Faisal Siam to the Strip, who coordinated with local medical staff to carry out the procedure despite the lack of essential equipment and advanced surgical tools.
Dr. Siam noted that such operations typically require highly specialized skills and advanced infrastructure, making its success in these situations an exceptional accomplishment that reflects the resilience and dedication of Gaza’s medical teams.
This achievement comes as healthcare workers continue to operate under immense pressure, with rising numbers of wounded and patients, severe shortages of medicines and supplies, and long waiting lists for critical procedures.
Despite the successful surgery, Yaman’s recovery remains uncertain, as he requires intensive rehabilitation and follow-up care for at least six months, services that are difficult to provide due to the ongoing shortage in medical resources.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization, rebuilding Gaza’s healthcare sector will require nearly $10 billion over the coming years, after more than 1,800 health facilities have been partially or destroyed due to Israeli attacks.
The broader humanitarian and health crisis continues to worsen, with restrictions on medical supplies and patient movement compounding the situation. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians depend on an overstretched and under-resourced healthcare system.
