Case study: ICRC Field Hospital
Since its opening on 9 May 2024, the Red Cross Field Hospital has provided over (as of 28 September 2024):
- 29,950 consultations
- 876 patients admissions
- 1,444 procedures performed by surgical teams.
In total, 95% of the surgical procedures were carried out on weapon-wounded patients.
The unprecedented level of medical needs resulting from the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip continues to put enormous pressure on a collapsed healthcare system. There are now pockets of partially functional medical response units across the Gaza Strip.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement welcomed efforts to roll out a vaccination campaign to ensure that the population of Gaza is protected against polio. From 5 to 8 September 2024, the Red Cross Field Hospital supported this effort by using the outpatient department (OPD) in Rafah as a vaccination point for the local health authorities, WHO and UNICEF. During this time, 1,180 children under 10 were vaccinated.
The scale of humanitarian need has triggered a joint collaboration between members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including:
Medical staff from
- Australian Red Cross
- British Red Cross
- Canadian Red Cross
- Danish Red Cross
- Finnish Red Cross
- German Red Cross
- Hong Kong Red Cross (branch of the Red Cross Society of China)
- Icelandic Red Cross
- Norwegian Red Cross
- Swiss Red Cross
Equipment provided by various National Societies including:
- reverse osmosis water purification systems
- surgical equipment
- medical consumables
- disinfection equipment and supplies
- pharmaceuticals
- X-ray equipment
- water tanks
- sinks
- nursing equipment
- laboratory equipment
- staff accommodation materials
- office equipment
- tents
- lighting
- latrine kits
- kitchen kits
Operations continuously supported by the Palestine Red Crescent Society including transportation of the sick and the wounded to the field hospital, and referrals to other hospitals.
Mark Myersen was one of two Australian Red Cross delegates pivotal in setting up and staffing the ICRC 60-bed field hospital that opened in Rafah on 9 May 2024. With Rafah's existing hospitals under extreme stress, more beds were needed to provide care for the growing population of displaced Gazans. The team had five weeks to transform a barren plot of land into a medical facility. On opening day, hundreds queued up to receive overdue care.
One of the things that sticks in my mind is, we were also lucky to be there for the birth of the first baby at the hospital," Mark said. "There was a real elation and joy, in the medical team and the tech team. Those moments of hope and humanity that you see amongst the conflicts, those things are very, very special.
