A patient’s journey in the Gaza Strip no longer begins at the doctor’s office and ends with treatment. Instead, it has become a long series of procedures and waiting periods. Thousands of patients and wounded individuals face the obstacle of medical referrals and travel abroad, at a time when the ability of local hospitals to provide necessary care is dwindling due to shortages of medicines and medical supplies.
A patient receives a medical referral after confirming their need for treatment unavailable within the Strip, but this does not guarantee their departure. Another journey of approvals, coordination, and waiting for the crossings to open begins—a stage that can extend for weeks or months, while patients continue to suffer and some experience a deterioration in their health.
Maryam Radwan, who has cancer, says she underwent surgery to remove a tumor in her abdomen, but her health subsequently declined due to the lack of appropriate treatment. She notes that she received an urgent referral for treatment outside Gaza, but she is still waiting for her travel date.
She adds that the disease has spread throughout her body, leaving her unable to move or care for herself, while accessing painkillers and essential medications remains extremely difficult.
The suffering isn’t limited to cancer patients; the wounded also face difficulties in completing their treatment outside the Gaza Strip.
Dr. Hussein Saad, who was injured more than a year ago, says he has to purchase some medical supplies at his own expense. He is requesting that his travel arrangements be expedited, especially since his foot injury requires specialized intervention before it worsens.
Dr. Mohammed Abu Nada, the medical director of the Gaza Cancer Hospital, confirms that the problem lies not only in issuing referrals, but also in patients’ ability to leave the Gaza Strip and access treatment.
In a press statement, he explained that cancer patients require services unavailable in Gaza, such as certain specialized chemotherapy treatments, radiotherapy, and bone marrow transplants. He noted that thousands of patients are waiting for approvals and permission to travel.
He pointed out that delays in treatment directly impact the chances of recovery and disease control, and may lead to the loss of lives as patients await their turn to travel.
