The health crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels as a new report highlights a significant rise in drug-resistant bacteria. This surge in multidrug-resistant infections is attributed to the depletion of effective antibiotics and overcrowded living conditions, exacerbated by ongoing military conflict.
Since October 2023, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated drastically following intensified attacks, which have reportedly resulted in over 66,000 deaths and approximately 160,000 injuries among the Palestinian population, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The latest edition of The Lancet Infectious Diseases details the emergence of disease outbreaks, with a concerning trend toward antibiotic resistance.
Multidrug resistance is characterized as non-susceptibility to at least one drug across three or more antibiotic classes. Researchers calculated the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index for various bacterial isolates, revealing that more than two-thirds of samples collected at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza exhibited resistance. The samples, which included pus, wound swabs, and urine, reflect the overwhelming burden of injuries from ballistic and crush trauma.
The study identified several problematic bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is known for causing severe hospital-acquired infections, and Staphylococcus aureus, linked to skin abscesses and respiratory infections. Other notable pathogens included Klebsiella, known for causing pneumonia and meningitis, and Escherichia coli, associated with serious foodborne illnesses. Alarmingly, two-thirds of all isolates were found to be multidrug resistant.
Resistance rates among Enterobacterales spp. isolates were particularly high, with over 90% of wound isolates resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefuroxime, and cefotaxime. The research indicates that resistance to ceftriaxone and ceftazidime was also significantly elevated in these isolates.
As the conflict continues, Gaza”s healthcare infrastructure has been severely compromised. Since the onset of attacks, the only remaining microbiology service has been a small laboratory at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, which relies on limited power sources. The hospital has been treating a large number of trauma cases despite ongoing airstrikes.
The World Health Organization reported that between October 7, 2023, and July 30, 2024, there were numerous attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in fatalities and injuries among medical personnel and patients. Approximately 500 healthcare workers have lost their lives, while humanitarian access has been obstructed.
Furthermore, a significant number of child deaths have been reported, largely attributed to the overwhelming influx of pediatric patients with severe trauma. Medical professionals revealed that they have been forced to operate on children without proper preoperative and postoperative care, increasing the risk of infections and complications.
According to Bilal Irfan, a coauthor of the study, around 76% of the sampled injuries were linked to blast or trauma-related incidents, underscoring the impact of military actions on civilian health. The research suggests that the true scale of the health crisis remains obscured due to the loss of laboratories and medical staff.
In light of this situation, the international medical community is urged to respond. The authors of the study emphasize the necessity for global advocacy to halt military actions that have resulted in widespread health crises. They recommend coordinated efforts among humanitarian agencies to ensure a steady supply of antibiotics and protect health facilities in Gaza.
Without immediate action, the spread of resistant organisms documented in Gaza could extend beyond its borders, compounding the global challenge of antibiotic resistance.
