She came back to Sweden last Sunday after working at several MSF clinics in central and southern Gaza. People primarily seek care for war-related injuries such as wounds, gunshots and burns.
But Fia Iveslätt describes a feeling of inadequacy towards the Palestinian colleagues.
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– The colleagues gave just everything to try to provide the healthcare that we want to provide. I am impressed by their courage and that they come to work day after day, she says.
Fia and her colleagues, both international and Palestinian, work and do their utmost to help as many as possible.
– It is difficult to get equipment and medicines. Even more difficult after the border with Egypt has been closed. No one can meet all healthcare needs that exist.
200 injured in Sunday’s attack
Fia had just left Gaza when an Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp in Rafah on Sunday. One of the clinics belonging to Doctors Without Borders is not far away and Fia has been in contact with several colleagues in the area.
– They received over 200 injured and over 40 dead. There is no clinic that can handle so many, nor is there any possibility to evacuate patients out of Gaza, she says.
She points out that there are similar attacks now and then and that it is not the first time that many people have been injured and killed.
– When that happens, we try to provide the best care we can, of course try to scream for help and scream for the need that they need to be evacuated out of Gaza. Until then, they are in the hands of fate, she says.
Huge psychological need
The number of people in need of psychological support in Gaza is enormous, according to Fia. Doctors Without Borders has a number of psychologists who work at a primary care clinic where hundreds of people turn every day.
– People have experienced trauma, they need to grieve and process losses and deal with the uncertain situation.