Dr. Dany Kurniadi Ramdhan, a neurosurgeon who led the fifth MER-C EMT team, described their journey from Dair Balah to the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza as a challenging one. Via Zoom from Gaza, Dany described how his team had to pass through multiple Israeli checkpoints, some of which took up to an hour before they were finally allowed to continue their journey. Because of the many checkpoints, the usually short distance of about 15 kilometers took more than six hours.
The fifth MER-C EMT team accompanied the World Health Organization (WHO) convoy during the trip. However, according to Dany, the MER-C group parted ways with the WHO team at al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City. From there, the MER-C team transferred to an ambulance and continued their journey to the Indonesian Hospital in Bait Lahiya. The MER-C team arrived there at around 4 p.m. local time on Friday (8/8).
That night, four MER-C doctors had treated several patients who were victims of the Israeli bombing, including one baby who died. Four people suffered head trauma and some were injured by shrapnel.
The next morning, the MER-C team met with the management of the Indonesian Hospital, including its director, Dr. Marwan al-Sultan. Then they toured the hospital to see the condition of the damage caused by the Israeli attack. In general, Dany continued, the damage to the facility was divided into two: the building structure and infrastructure, including medical equipment.
The structural damage to the building was not too extensive. The damage was more to access to the hospital because the roads were destroyed by Israeli troops using bulldozers. In addition, many vehicle wrecks were scattered. The structural damage was in the form of holes from rocket explosions and traces of fire on the third and fourth floors. In general, the building of the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza is still quite good.
“After we conducted a comprehensive survey, in general, what needs immediate repairs is the electricity source. There are two electricity sources: solar panels and generators,” he said in a press conference via Zoom, Monday (12/8).
Dany added that the generator at the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza relies on fuel supplies from WHO. The UN agency has promised to supply fuel for the generator at least once every two weeks. This supply depends on the situation. Even if there is, the amount is not necessarily sufficient.
He said, of all the solar panels installed on the roof of the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, perhaps only one-fifth are still functioning. The rest were damaged by bullets and explosions. Dany emphasized that the electricity source at the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza must be repaired immediately because it is vital for the hospital's operations.
According to him, the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza continues to operate, even though the electricity went out while operating on a patient. In addition, because the electricity fluctuates, medical equipment there is quickly damaged.
Dany explained that some of the laboratories at the Indonesian Hospital could still be saved, but some were not functioning because they were damaged. Complementary equipment such as CT Scans were damaged and only one USG device was still functioning. Disposable medical equipment had also run out, such as orthopedic implants and spinal implants.
He mentioned that what needs to be considered is that 80 percent of the Indonesian Hospital employees have not been paid for months. If the war continues, this issue could cause problems. Dany said that every day doctors and employees of the Indonesian Hospital go to work on foot. Therefore, MER-C will donate one bus for their transportation.
MER-C EMT liaison officer Marissa Noriti explained that the fifth MER-C team would indeed be assigned to support services at the Indonesian Hospital. In addition to placing a medical team, MER-C also has a number of programs in Gaza, including plans to establish a health service center at Nasser Hospital at the request of the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
MER-C's medicine and medical aid, Marissa continued, will enter Gaza through the Karem Shalom crossing. Meanwhile, supplies sent through Jordan will be specifically for the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza.
There are currently nine MER-C volunteers in Gaza, consisting of five doctors, three non-medical volunteers, and one MER-C EMT liaison officer. Marissa explained that the Indonesian Hospital resumed operations last June after Israeli forces burned the third and fourth floors of the hospital the previous month. Until now, the hospital's services, although limited, have been able to help Gazans with a capacity of 67 beds.
Until now, he said, the occupancy of Indonesian Hospital beds has been 150 percent, so there are additional beds placed on the floor. Therefore, it is very urgent to increase the capacity of treatment beds. The Mer-C team will be on duty for about a month at the Indonesian Hospital to assist in medical services for patients and further examination of the condition of the Indonesian Hospital.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) still has a debt to liberate the Palestinian nation.
“I remind you that in the Arab Peace Initiative and various OIC decisions, it is stated that peace with Israel will only be achieved if Israel stops occupying Palestine,” said Retno.
“This attitude has sent a very strong message that without Palestinian independence, there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel. I firmly remind you that this decision and message must be consistently maintained,” he added.
According to Retno, the realization of a ceasefire in Gaza is very important to be able to stop the victims and suffering of Gazans. The ceasefire can create a conducive situation for negotiations towards a two-state solution. (fw/you)
