We were able to have a short conversation with Dr Mohammed Abed, director of the only functioning PICU in Gaza, at the Al Nasser hospital in Khan Younis.
His dignity, pride, and incredible efforts in the face of a humanitarian catastrophe was incredibly humbling. He describes three cohorts of patients: a large amount of trauma, especially shrapnel injuries from bombs, patients admitted, and dying, of malnutrition, and recently a surge of flaccid paralysis patients, whose aetiology is unclear (but may be due to enterovirus D68 due to poor sanitation).
He is working without a blood gas machine, ultrasound, central lines, paediatric milk feeds, and even bandages.
His team is running 9 beds at the moment, for a population where about 50% is paediatric.
This was a very difficult conversation, hearing first hand about a situation which he described as catastrophic. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.
He has sent a list of equipment, supplies, and medications which are urgently needed. If you can help, please get in touch via our bluesky (@picpod.bsky.social) and X (@picpod_podcast) accounts.
The top urgent list is:
| Equipments | Supplies and medications |
| Pediatric laryngoscope 2 | Pediatric central lines |
| Portable ultrasound 1 | Pediasur milk formula |
| CPAP machine 2 | IVIG |
| Pulse oximetre 4 | Propfol IV |
| Blood gas machine 1 | Midazolam IV |
| Fentanyl IV | |
| Succinaylcholin IV | |
| Phenobarbiton IV | |
| Levetracitam IV | |
| Phenytoin IV | |
| Pediatric PICC lines |
Podcast: Play in new window | Download