The UAE has opened a dedicated medical centre in the Gazan city of Khan Younis to provide emergency care to civilians and help ease the strain on health services decimated by the conflict with Israel and chronic supply shortages.
The Emirates Medical Centre boasts several specialised departments and is equipped to support patients needing both primary and urgent care.
The new facility, opened on Sunday, will deliver a much-needed boost to Palestinians in the grips of a humanitarian crisis which has been exacerbated by severe storms sweeping across the Gaza Strip over recent days.
Torrential rain, fierce winds and flooding have left embattled civilians – many displaced and living in makeshift tents – at further risk. An eight-month-old baby died of exposure on Thursday, due to the cold weather after water flooded her family's tent in Khan Younis.
The health sector lifeline is part of the UAE's continued relief operations in the enclave since the war with Israel began in October 2023.
The new medical centre aims to ease the strain on Gaza's beleaguered health sector. Photo: Wam
“The centre is equipped to receive emergency cases as well as patients in need of primary healthcare, with specialised departments and a pharmacy to provide appropriate treatment,” said Dr Sameh Hamid, director of the Emirates Medical Centre.
Hiba Al Najjar, who serves as the World Health Organisation's health co-ordinator in the Gaza Strip, hailed the UAE for its sustained efforts to bolster the territory's under-pressure health sector.
She said the assistance provided by the Emirates had enhanced the capacity of Gaza's health system and helped it to deliver essential care to needy civilians.
Show of solidarity
The UAE opened a 200-bed field hospital in Gaza in December 2023 that has since treated tens of thousands of Palestinians.
The field hospital, which was swiftly assembled by a team of medical professionals and support staff, is equipped with advanced medical technology and supplies.
It specialises in general and orthopaedic surgery and offers anaesthetic services and intensive care for children and adults. It also provides internal medicine, dentistry, family medicine and psychiatric treatment.
The Emirates also established a floating
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