Article by Viory
Child’s Surgery Ordeal
A Palestinian mother in the Gaza Strip recounted on Thursday the ordeal of her two-and-a-half-year-old son, Yaman Barakat, who underwent a complex surgical operation amid the collapse of the healthcare system and severe shortages of medical supplies caused by the war.
Footage shows young Yaman with his leg in a cast following the operation, as family members constantly carry him because he is unable to move properly.
Halima Barakat, Yaman’s mother, shared that her son underwent delicate surgery for a hip dislocation after being diagnosed with a congenital condition.
She explained that the first doctor who examined Yaman said the procedure could not be performed in Gaza because of the dire medical situation and the lack of equipment and technical resources needed to ensure its success.
Risky Operation Decision
The family later turned to another doctor, Faisal Siyam, who had recently returned from abroad and agreed to perform the surgery despite the difficult conditions in the Strip.
“The operation was supposed to take two to three hours at most, but it lasted four and a half hours,” she said, adding, “I decided to put my faith in God and go ahead with the operation. I did not want to see my son disabled for life, especially as his limp was getting worse every day.”
She remarked that the cast on Yaman’s leg has made everyday care difficult. “I currently struggle with everything: his movements, changing his nappy, feeding him, giving him drinks, and helping him to sleep.”
Healthcare System Collapse
According to the Palestinian Information Centre, medical staff at Al-Shifa Medical Complex achieved a notable success after saving Yaman Barakat from permanent mobility disability through a delicate hip operation, despite challenging conditions for the surgery.
The centre reported major deterioration in Gaza’s healthcare sector, with thousands of facilities damaged and an estimated 10 billion USD (8.52 billion EUR) needed for rehabilitation, amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis, restrictions, and lack of medical services.
War And Wider Impact
In January, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced the launch of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the conflict in Gaza, which includes moving from a ceasefire to disarmament, forming a technocratic administration, and beginning reconstruction.
The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, after attacks by the movement killed 1,139 people, mostly Israeli civilians, and resulted in more than 200 hostages. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, including airstrikes and a ground offensive, which has so far killed 72,601 Palestinians and injured 172,419 others, according to figures available at the time of publication.
Article by Viory
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