Battle Lines The battle to make Gaza healthy again
10 snips
Oct 29, 2025 
Joining the discussion are Professor Paul Spiegel, a humanitarian health expert from Johns Hopkins, and Professor Nick Maynard, a consultant surgeon with years of experience in Gaza. They delve into the dire health crisis in Gaza post-ceasefire. Spiegel outlines urgent needs like safety, clean water, and rebuilding health services, while Maynard shares harrowing firsthand accounts from hospitals. The conversation highlights the unique challenges of Gaza, including health infrastructure devastation and the pressing need for local leadership in recovery efforts.
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Start With Safety And Basic Needs
- Prioritise safety, access corridors, and removal of unexploded ordnance before expanding services.
- Focus initial life-saving supplies on water, food, shelter, power and fuel to stop acute deaths.
Rebuild Where People Are Concentrated
- Gaza's health infrastructure is almost wholly destroyed and needs rebuilding from scratch in many places.
- Existing primary care centres and key hospitals should be prioritised where populations are concentrated.
Rubble And Toxic Debris Will Hamper Recovery
- Massive rubble and toxic debris complicate access and health risks for years.
- Clearing priority corridors is essential because equipment and safe plans are limited.