UAE Opens Medical Center in Gaza's Khan Younis for Emergency Care
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) opened a special medical center in Khan Younis City, Gaza Strip to provide emergency care to Palestinian civilians, helping to ease the burden on health services that were destroyed by the conflict with Israel and chronic supply shortages.
Emirates Medical Center has several specialized departments and is equipped to support patients requiring primary and emergency care.
The new facility, which opened on Sunday, will provide a much-needed boost to Palestinians hit by a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by a fierce storm that hit the Gaza Strip in recent days.
"This center is equipped to receive emergency cases as well as patients who need primary health care, with special departments and pharmacies to provide appropriate care," said Emirates Medical Center Director Dr. Sameh Hamid, as reported by The National (15/12).
Heavy rain, strong winds and flooding have put already-vulnerable civilians - many displaced and living in makeshift tents - at even greater risk. An eight-month-old baby died of cold on Thursday, after the weather turned cold after water flooded his family's tent in Khan Younis.
This health facility is part of the UAE's ongoing aid operations in the region since the war with Israel began in October 2023.
Hiba Al Najjar, who serves as the World Health Organization (WHO) health coordinator in the Gaza Strip, praised the UAE for its ongoing efforts to strengthen the region's health sector, which is under pressure.
He said the assistance provided by the UAE had increased the capacity of Gaza's health system and helped it provide vital care to civilians in need.
The UAE previously opened a 200-bed field hospital in Gaza in December 2023, which has since treated tens of thousands of Palestinians.
The field hospital, which was quickly built by a team of medical professionals and support staff, is equipped with advanced medical technology and equipment.
The hospital specializes in general and orthopedic surgery and offers anesthesia and intensive care services for children and adults.
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This hospital also provides internal medicine, dentistry, family medicine, and psychiatric care.
In addition, the UAE also established a floating hospital - which was anchored in Al Arish, Egypt - on February 24, 2024 as part of its extensive humanitarian support.
The modified ship is equipped with advanced surgical and intensive care units, radiology departments, and laboratories. The ship has a capacity of 100 patient beds and an additional 100 beds for accompanying relatives. More than 5,000 surgeries have been performed on this large ship.