Dr. Victoria Rose, a consultant plastic surgeon from London, has embarked on a life-saving mission in Gaza, where she has been treating victims affected by the ongoing conflict. Taking a leave of absence from her position at St Thomas’ Hospital, she has been working with the charity IDEALS (International Disaster and Emergency Aid with Long-term Support) to provide necessary medical care in a region grappling with severe humanitarian crises.
During her recent visit in May 2024, Dr. Rose reported a “mass casualty” situation at Nasser Hospital, where she found herself overwhelmed with patients suffering from blast injuries, severe burns, and gunshot wounds. The war has resulted in a dramatic increase in casualties and the incidence of disease, with Dr. Rose noting that the level of malnutrition was “appalling” by the time of her arrival.
Challenges Faced by Medical Teams
Dr. Rose described the difficult conditions under which medical professionals were operating. The team primarily relied on energy bars and dried food due to limited access to fresh supplies. The hospitals faced fuel shortages, leading to energy rationing that affected essential services such as air-conditioning. Alongside the threat of airstrikes, there has been a significant rise in illnesses due to poor sanitation, including a startling increase in cases of flaccid paralysis among children.
“Usually, Gaza would see a couple of cases a year, but in the last month alone, they have had 37 cases in children under the age of 15,” she stated. The situation has prompted increasing alarm among medical staff as they confront both physical injuries and emerging health crises.
Dr. Rose has returned to Gaza three times since the escalation of conflict in October 2023. Each visit has revealed a progressively dire humanitarian situation. “To see the country disintegrate into this refugee camp was really shocking,” she remarked, reflecting on the visible devastation she witnessed.
A Mission of Urgency and Compassion
On her first visit in March 2024, Dr. Rose worked at the European Gaza Hospital, where she encountered families taking refuge in makeshift shelters throughout the facility. She described gardens filled with tents and corridors partitioned with carpets, illustrating the overwhelming displacement of civilians.
By her return in August 2024, she noted that the physical destruction had escalated dramatically. “It was like going through the set of a moonscape film or something. There were no structures standing,” she recalled, illustrating the stark reality faced by the residents.
Despite the harrowing circumstances, Dr. Rose remains committed to her mission. She highlighted the critical shortage of plastic surgeons in Gaza, emphasizing the significant impact of their work. “You go in knowing that anything you do will make a big difference,” she stated, reinforcing her determination to continue her efforts.
As Dr. Rose returns to the UK, she grapples with the emotional toll of her experiences and the ongoing news of the conflict. Her family expresses concern for her safety, making future missions uncertain. “I would love to go back, but I am fairly confident my application is going to be denied when I next try,” she said, acknowledging the heightened risks for medical personnel in the region.
IDEALS continues to send teams to Gaza every month, but access for medical professionals is becoming increasingly challenging. Dr. Rose aims to raise funds to support these missions and ensure that aid reaches those in urgent need.
