Shifa Hospital: Palestinians critically injured by Israeli bombings in December 2008, Gaza

After the December 27, 2008, Israeli bombardment of Gaza, nurses in Shifa hospital's ICU describe some of the patients on their deathbeds.

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Dr Khaled from Shifa hospital ICU told me today around 10 that the majority of cases in the ICU are critical, with an approx 80% who will not survive. The normally 12-bed ICU was caring for twice as many as normally capable, extra beds and extra rooms made to care for ICU patients. At that time, the 24 beds in the ICU were the 4th shift of critically injured, the former 3 having died from their injuries.

There is a critical need for more ICU beds, as well as mechanical ventilators

the majority of injuries were “multi-explosive injuries” with a concentration of head injuries (“head trauma”) resulting from the explosions, from shrapnel in the brain. Other injuries included abdominal injuries resulting in internal bleeding, from shrapnel in the abdomen. The majority of head injuries were not expected to survive, and those who do are expected to have brain damage, some full paralysis (quadroplegea). Because of the shortage of spaces and equipment, the ICU has had to turn patients away, others waiting in the reception until a patient dies and his space can be used.

among the critically wounded were a number of children and minors:

a six year old down’s syndrom with brain trauma

an 11 year old with brain trauma, not likely to survive

a 13 year old with a head injury (“brain matter out”)

a 21 year old, leg amputated, various shrapnel injuries over body and face, loss of hearing in one ear

a 21 year old, braindead, “hopeless” case

a man in his fifties, neither police nor resistance

a man in his forties, on the beach when struck, head trauma (“brain matter out”)

a man in his fifties, head trauma

a 53 year old, shrapnel in the brain, no surgery possible

many other men in their 20s and 30s, head injuries (shrapnel in brain), and abdominal injuries, some policemen.
https://ingaza.wordpress.com/2008/12/28/shifa-icu-a-glimpse-of-hospital-critical-injuries/

https://ingaza.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/observations-from-occupied-palestine-in-gaza/