al-Ahli Hospital

The hospital is managed by the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and supported by Anglican Overseas Aid. Al-Ahli Hospital is the only Christian hospital in Gaza and provides critical care to thousands of injured and displaced people.

Despite being bombed, forcibly closed for several days, and staff detained, injured and killed, the al-Ahli Hospital has been conducting emergency operations 24 hours a day.

Currently, it performs 30-35 surgeries each day and treats around 750 people, close to ten times its normal operating limit.

Some staff members have been able to return to their homes, but many no longer have homes to return to and live in tents at the hospital.

While there are fewer patients from the conflict, as people return to their communities, the increased population lacking necessities like sanitation, food, running water, and shelter has led to a surge in patients.

With just 38% of primary health care centres functional, overcrowding has meant that triage is being conducted in the courtyard, with the chapel being used as a ward.

The medical imaging facilities, funded by AOA supporters, are currently the only imaging services available in Gaza, and the hospital offers the only chemotherapy services.

Heath Challenges

The conflict has created a public health crisis that will have long-term consequences, even if the current ceasefire leads to the end of the war. Around 30,000 people face life-changing injuries and will need ongoing rehabilitation.

There has been a resurgence of polio, and tens of thousands of Hepatitis A cases have been reported. In Northern Gaza, 15% of children under two are acutely malnourished.

The hospital has initiated a Psychosocial Support Program to help children who have lost family members or been displaced develop skills to minimise psychological pressures and express their emotions.

In a recent video, Dr Mayer Ayyad, the hospital's Medical Director, had two requests.
Firstly, prayer for sustained peace so that all people can live in harmony.
Secondly, support will enable the hospital to begin rebuilding the damaged facilities and sourcing critical medical supplies.

Devastatingly, the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza has now been blocked again, just six weeks after the ceasefire agreement. With millions of people in the Gaza Strip experiencing food insecurity and worsening health, the end of the war and access to humanitarian aid is critical.

Please pray for the hospital staff as they continue to provide hope to thousands of people facing unimaginable horror.