GAZA / AL SHIFA MEDICAL COMPLEX

At Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, eight-month-old Sama Abu Ajwa lies suffering from acute kidney failure, as her family says it has been unable to secure the treatment she needs inside the enclave. UNIFEED

• Video Length: 00:04:38
• Production Date: 21 December 2025
• Asset Language: Arabic
• Corporate Name: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION - WHO
• Subject Topical: HEALTH SERVICES
• Geographic Subject: GAZA
• MAMS Id: 3520516
• Parent Id: 3520516
• Alternate Title: unifeed251221a

Description

STORY: GAZA / AL-SHIFA MEDICAL COMPLEX
TRT: 04:38
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: NATS
DATELINE: 21 DECEMBER 2025, Gaza City

Shotlist

1. Various shots, buildings of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip, showing the extent of the destruction caused by the war
2. Various shots, ambulances standing in the courtyard of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City
3. Various shots, a press conference organized by the Ministry of Health in Gaza to warn of the worsening health situation in the Strip
4. Various shots, ambulances bearing banners calling for saving the health sector and patients in the Gaza Strip
5. Various shots, from inside the pediatric ward at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City
6. Various shots, Mrs. Balqees Abu Ajwa, the mother of eight-month-old Sama Abu Ajwa, who is hospitalized and suffering from acute kidney failure
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Balqees Abu Ajwa:
“My daughter is ill and suffers from kidney failure. The crossings are closed and medical supplies are scarce. The medical equipment that could help my daughter stay alive is not available. My daughter has been in this condition for 20 days; she is exhausted, and I come here to her every day. I am now afraid of losing her because treatment is not available. We completed the procedures for a medical referral outside the Gaza Strip for her treatment, but so far nothing has happened, despite obtaining an urgent medical referral due to her health condition. Up to this moment, we are still waiting. Her condition is deteriorating day by day, her blood levels are weakening, and her kidney function indicators are rising.”
8. Various shots, eight-month-old Sama Abu Ajwa, who is hospitalized and suffering from acute kidney failure
9. Various shots, the pediatric intensive care unit at Al-Shifa Medical Complex
10. Various shots, Dr. Rifaat Jundiya while checking on patients in the pediatric intensive care unit at Al-Shifa Medical Complex
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Dr. Rifaat Jundiya:
“The health situation in the Gaza Strip is very difficult due to the lack of sufficient specialized medical staff, in addition to the severe shortage of medical supplies. For example, in the intensive care unit we urgently need a mobile X-ray machine, given the difficulty of transferring patients who are connected to ventilators to the radiology department in another building.”
12. Various shots, the pediatric intensive care unit at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City

Storyline

The health crisis in the Gaza Strip is worsening amid the widespread collapse of the medical system.

At Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, eight-month-old Sama Abu Ajwa lies suffering from acute kidney failure, as her family says it has been unable to secure the treatment she needs inside the enclave.

Her mother, Balqees Abu Ajwa, said, “My daughter suffers from kidney failure, the crossings are closed, and medical supplies are scarce. The equipment that could save her life is not available, and her condition is deteriorating day by day.” She added: “We obtained an urgent medical referral for treatment outside Gaza, but we are still waiting, and I fear I may lose her.”

Dr. Rifaat Jundiya, while checking on patients in the pediatric intensive care unit at Al-Shifa Hospital, said the health situation is “very difficult,” pointing to a severe shortage of specialized medical staff and essential equipment.

He added, “In the intensive care unit, we urgently need a mobile X-ray machine, as transferring children who are connected to ventilators to another building for imaging poses a serious risk to their lives.”

Since October 2023, the World Health Organization and partners have evacuated over 10,600 patients from Gaza with severe health conditions, including over 5,600 children, each one in need of critical advanced treatment. Yet, many more patients remain in Gaza awaiting evacuation to receive appropriate health care.

WHO said that according to Ministry of Health, 1,092 patients have died while awaiting medical evacuation between July 2024 and November 28, 2025. However, this figure is likely underreported.

WHO calls on more countries to open doors to patients from Gaza, and for medical evacuation to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to be restored. Lives depend on it.