Mobile Operating Room: An Innovative Field Solution by the Palestine Red Crescent Society to Meet Patients’ Needs

Gaza - Ma'an - In light of the critical health conditions that the Gaza Strip is suffering from as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression, which has put many hospitals out of service, there was an urgent need to find emergency solutions that meet the needs of patients and the injured. Here, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society emerged as the driving force behind a pioneering initiative represented in establishing the first mobile operating room in the Strip, fully equipped with local expertise and hands, to represent the nucleus of an integrated field hospital that can be moved and employed anywhere the population needs it. The idea came during a crucial meeting held by the association, where the question was asked: 'Why don't we use our human and logistical resources to create a mobile operating room?' With the financial and human resources available, in addition to local expertise, the idea turned into something tangible. Many of the necessary materials were secured from within the association, while o ther equipment was purchased from the local market and some was transported from Gaza City. Eng. Majdi Darwish, the association's administrative and financial manager in the Gaza Strip, played a pivotal role in the implementation of this project through his daily supervision and continuous guidance. In close cooperation with the main blacksmith, one of the association's sons with hearing disabilities, who contributed his unique skills and long experience in designing and manufacturing the basic parts, and with the management's blessing, efforts were combined from all departments to complete the work in a harmonious manner. After a period of planning and diligent work, the operating room came to light and became ready to serve patients. In this regard, Engineer Darwish expresses his pride, saying: 'The operating room was built by the Palestinian Red Crescent from A to Z.' He explained that establishing an operating room under war and bombardment, amid a stifling crisis and the lack of most raw materials, was a major challenge, were it not for the great capabilities that the association possesses. 'The exterior of the operating room consists of an iron structure with sandwich panels and insulators in the middle, while the interior consists of wood covered with leather, and the floor is lined with static. The room was designed in accordance with international specifications for operating rooms in hospitals. I would like to emphasize that most of the operating rooms sent to the Gaza Strip from abroad are tents, which are not suitable for weather fluctuations, especially in winter,' he says. With this pioneering initiative, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society is setting an inspiring example of effective response to humanitarian crises. The Society also dreams of building several similar rooms to create a fully integrated mobile field hospital, enhancing the Gaza Strip's ability to address health challenges in innovative and sustainable ways. Source: Maan News Agency