London Surgeon Volunteers in Gaza, Treats War Victims
Dr. Victoria Rose, a consultant plastic surgeon from St Thomas’ Hospital in London, has embarked on a mission to provide crucial medical assistance in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict with Israel. Volunteering with the charity IDEALS, she has dedicated her recent leave to treating victims at Nasser Hospital, where she has witnessed the devastating impact of war firsthand.
In her personal video diary shared with the BBC, Dr. Rose expressed a desire for a ceasefire to allow healthcare workers to address the overwhelming number of casualties. During her visit in May 2024, she reported alarming levels of malnutrition and starvation. “The mass casualties just didn’t stop,” she stated, emphasizing the shocking reality of the situation.
Initially, Dr. Rose and her team focused on treating blast injuries, including severe burns and shrapnel wounds. However, as her time in Gaza progressed, they encountered an increasing number of gunshot injuries. Dr. Rose described the challenges of working in such dire conditions, stating, “I’m just trying to get as much done as I possibly can in the very short amount of time that I have, so that we can make a difference.”
Conditions in Gaza and Medical Challenges
Dr. Rose’s team worked tirelessly in the ground-floor theatres of Nasser Hospital, performing plastic surgeries around the clock during their 28-day stay. They faced significant challenges, including limited access to food, often surviving on energy bars and dried food they brought with them. The ongoing conflict resulted in fuel shortages, forcing hospitals to ration energy and forgo air conditioning.
In addition to the threat of airstrikes and gunfire, Dr. Rose noted a concerning rise in diseases linked to poor sanitation. Among the most alarming was a spike in flaccid paralysis cases, which surged from a few annual occurrences to 37 cases in just one month among children under 15. “This is really shocking,” she remarked.
Dr. Rose has made three trips to Gaza since the outbreak of war in October 2023. With each return, she has observed a deepening crisis. During her first visit in March 2024, she encountered ordinary citizens taking refuge in hospitals. “All the gardens were full of tents,” she recalled, noting the extent of displacement and disruption.
By her August visit, the physical destruction was even more pronounced. “It was like going through the set of a moonscape film,” she described. Many hospitals have suffered attacks since the conflict began, complicating access to vital aid. While Israel maintains that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure for military purposes, these claims are categorically denied by Hamas.
Future Missions and Personal Reflections
Upon returning to London, Dr. Rose found it difficult to watch news coverage of the war. Her focus has shifted to planning future missions and raising funds for ongoing support in Gaza. IDEALS continues to send medical teams to the region each month, but Dr. Rose noted that access is becoming increasingly challenging.
“I would love to go back, but I am fairly confident my application is going to be denied when I next try,” she said, acknowledging her family’s concerns about her safety. The stress they have experienced regarding her work adds another layer to her decision-making.
Dr. Rose’s commitment to her humanitarian efforts highlights the critical need for medical support in conflict zones. Her experiences in Gaza serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the resilience of those working to provide care under such challenging circumstances.
