It is the UN and the World Health Organization (WHO) that coordinate entry in cooperation with Egypt and Israel. Erik Fosse has previously worked at the al Shifa hospital in Gaza during several wars. He attempted to enter Gaza in October, but was denied permission then. In 2009, he and Mads Gilbert wrote the book “Eyes in Gaza”, a depiction of the horrors of war during the 22-day military offensive in 2008-2009. Then 1,300 Palestinians were killed. But now over 23,000 Palestinians have been killed, around 58,000 are wounded and the situation is desperate in the few hospitals that are still functioning. Only 15 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are functioning, some of them only partially, says the World Health Organization WHO today. The Norwegian group also includes orthopedist Geir Stray Andreassen, orthopedist Thor-Erling Fosse Engemyr, operating room nurse Hilde Vollan, operating room nurse Kjersti Fiveland and anesthetist Mohammed Abou-Arab. In addition, Kristil Haraldstad, country manager for Palestine, coordinates the work from Cairo. The plan is for the team to stay in for 2 weeks, and then be replaced by another team from Norwac. Conditions have been and are desperate and chaotic in Gaza’s hospitals. Here, wounded people sit in a queue to receive treatment at al-Shifa hospital in December last year. Only 15 out of 36 hospitals are functioning, some of them only partially, according to the World Health Organization. Photo: AFP/WHO International teams In recent weeks, several international health teams have been allowed to work inside Gaza. British doctor Nick Maynard, who recently led a medical emergency team, tells of horrific scenes. Maynard told CNN that there was no anesthetic to give the patients and that there is a shortage of all kinds of medical equipment. – I have never seen anything like this and never in my life thought I would ever see such a terrible situation, says the surgeon who has worked extensively in Gaza for the past 15 years on behalf of Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). 85 percent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have been displaced and many have sought refuge precisely in the hospitals, which they hope will be safe from Israeli attack. In addition, hunger is a growing problem as Israel does not send enough aid to the population. Getting emergency aid into the Gaza Strip is slow. Only a fraction of food, medical equipment and medicines enter. The procedures for examining all the content from the Israeli side also take a long time. Photo: Reuters Norwac (Norwegian Aid Committee) is a humanitarian aid organization that has collaborated with both doctors and hospitals in Gaza for many years. The organization has contributed medical equipment and courses for Palestinian health workers for 40 years and also sends health teams to Lebanon and Syria when war and unrest strike. People give money Norwac receives financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But in the last three months, the money has flowed in from both private individuals and companies, who want to help after seeing the distress in Gaza. Norwac has received three NOK 3.5 million, money with which they will buy medical equipment. Norwegian People’s Aid, Norwegian Church Aid, Save the Children and the Norwegian Refugee Council have also received large cash donations. Doctor Erik Fosse with Palestinian colleagues at Al Shifa hospital during the war in 2009. Photo: AP – Norwac has never done fundraising before, but after 7 October we have received daily inquiries from private individuals who want to contribute directly with funds, via companies and cultural activities. Small and large businesses throughout the country have collected money for us. The influx to our office and to our employees in Oslo has been great and we greatly appreciate everyone who contacts us. Donor leader is big among people, says Kristil Haraldstad in Norwac to news. People have been creative. Some have sold gingerbread for Gaza, others have organized poetry evenings. Tattoo sjapper has contributed. In addition, beauty salons have donated money and restaurants and cafes have also given a lot. – We have received contributions from authors. Artists have held auctions to raise money for Gaza. Clothing stores have donated their profits and influencers have encouraged them to donate money to Norwac, says Haraldstad. Erik Fosse and anesthesia nurse Dagfinn Bjøklid treat a young Palestinian at al-Shifa hospital during the war in 2009. It is currently unclear which hospital they will work at now. Photo: Reuters Each of the health workers can bring 100 kg of equipment and medicine into Gaza. Israel began bombing Gaza on October 7 in retaliation for Hamas’s brutal attacks on Israel, which claimed the lives of nearly 1,200 people in Israel. In addition, around 130 people are still being held hostage inside Gaza.
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Norwegian doctors have entered Gaza – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
