In Deir el-Balah, Dr. Manar Fayyad, an anaesthesiologist at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, has experienced profound psychological trauma since the escalation of military actions by the Israeli regime in October 2023. The critical turning point occurred when he discovered that a critically injured patient brought to his operating room was his 34-year-old brother Shadi, who had been killed in a strike. The harrowing experience prematurely ended his medical career and led to his complete withdrawal from social life. v

Similarly, Khaled Raafat, a nurse at the same facility, lost his wife, children, mother, and multiple siblings during an attack on his family home while he was actively working to save other casualties at the hospital. Although he later attempted to rebuild his life and return to his duties, the relentless psychological strain continues to affect surviving healthcare professionals across the region, who find themselves grappling with simultaneous personal grief and professional obligations.

Official reports from the local health authorities indicate that at least 1,700 medical personnel have reportedly been killed, and 83 remain in detention amid ongoing operations. Furthermore, studies reveal that approximately 78 percent of healthcare workers lack access to adequate mental health services, exacerbating a severe brain drain and deepening the crisis within Gaza's struggling medical infrastructure.

Source: www.aljazeera.com