Challenges Faced by Health Volunteers in the Gaza Strip
While thousands of volunteer personnel work in Gaza's healthcare system without salaries or permanent positions, official employees struggle to make a living with worn banknotes and financial advances.
Thousands of volunteer health personnel serving in Gaza's healthcare system, which collapsed due to Israeli attacks, show great devotion by working for months without pay, yet they receive neither permanent positions nor salaries.
Collapsed Healthcare System and Volunteers
As a result of Israel targeting health facilities, the healthcare system in the Gaza Strip has been dragged into a deep crisis. To cover staff shortages, local and international organizations have turned to volunteer health workers. Thousands of graduates have responded to this call and taken on duties in hospitals.
Despite broad participation, a significant portion of the volunteers have not received any salary and have not been employed on a permanent basis. Many volunteers state that their professional futures have become uncertain due to their working processes not being bound by official contracts.
Grievances Experienced by Healthcare Workers
Muhannad al-Sammuh, who volunteered as a nurse for 11 months at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, had to quit his job because he had to support his family. Sammuh stated that despite job opportunities funded by international organizations, he was not nominated for any position.
Dr. Samar Shahdeh served in mobile clinics after a month of volunteer work with the promise of employment. The prolongation of the process on the grounds of insufficient funding and covering her own transportation expenses led Shahdeh to realize that the work would not result in employment.
Financial Difficulties of Official Employees
Official health personnel in Gaza also serve under severe economic conditions. Instead of regular salaries, financial advances are given to employees at certain intervals. Nurse Nabil Hussein reported that advance payments of 1,000 shekels given once every two months were made with worn cash banknotes.
The refusal of tradesmen to accept worn banknotes makes it difficult for healthcare workers to meet their basic daily needs and pay their debts. In addition, allegations of favoritism in limited job opportunities within international organizations are voiced among employees.
Ministry Statements and Future Anxiety
Dr. Mahmoud Hammad, Head of Administrative Affairs at the Ministry of Health in Gaza, stated that more than 1,300 healthcare workers have lost their lives and many doctors have left the region. Hammad emphasized that official employment processes have stopped due to the state of emergency and that the current shortage can only be filled by volunteers.
The Ministry tries to provide financial rewards and food parcels to volunteers when resources are available. However, the continuation of clashes and blockade conditions continues to make the future of thousands of volunteer personnel serving in the health sector uncertain.