On 10 September, eight children aged 5 to 16 were medically evacuated from Gaza to MSF’s reconstructive surgery hospital in Jordan, in coordination with the Jordanian Ministry of Health. One child was hurt while still recovering from fractures sustained in an earlier strike.
Half of the newly admitted children are malnourished, including three with severe acute malnutrition. This is the second time we have received patients from Gaza in such a critical nutrition condition, a grim testament to the ongoing impact of violence and siege on the people in Gaza.
Children with severe acute malnutrition cannot undergo surgery immediately. They must first be stabilised and regain strength, as they face not only complex injuries but also a long and difficult road to recovery.
MSF’s Dr Izuddin Rawashdeh
Since 7 October 2023, only 40 patients from Gaza have been able to reach our hospital in Jordan. Meanwhile, WHO reports over 15,800 people urgently needing medical evacuations for specialised care that is unavailable in Gaza.
MSF urges countries to receive patients trapped in Gaza so they can access the specialised treatment they need. We also call on the Israeli authorities to lift the siege on Gaza, allow life-saving aid in, and facilitate medical evacuations with guarantees of a voluntary return.
