During the brutal two-year war in Gaza, healthcare workers bore a heavy burden, with thousands of Palestinian doctors and medical students halting or interrupting their studies to volunteer in hospitals and clinics. Many continued their education under extremely difficult conditions while simultaneously providing life-saving care to their communities.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has supported Gaza through emergency employment programs, creating 5,947 positions during the war and a total of 15,076 jobs over six years. These roles span healthcare, education, and the private sector, providing income, skill development, and opportunities that improve overall wellbeing while reducing inequality.
At Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical complex, 610 staff have been supported with emergency employment contracts. In parallel, UNDP has rehabilitated hospital infrastructure, installed relief housing units, and provided medical equipment and waste management systems to expand the hospital’s capacity. These efforts have strengthened healthcare delivery and provided critical support to both staff and patients.
Several young medical professionals illustrate the impact of these programs. Shatha, a 26-year-old nurse and mother, completed her studies while working at the hospital during the war and hopes to pursue a Master’s Degree. Noor, also 26, works as a general practitioner in pulmonology, treating respiratory and infectious diseases worsened by wartime conditions and displacement. Hamza and Tamer, trained in Sudan and Egypt respectively, specialize in neurosurgery, while Mohammed, recovering from a serious leg injury sustained during his work, continues to serve in the emergency department.
Beyond employment, UNDP’s interventions at Al Shifa Hospital have included renovating outpatient clinics, upgrading water and electrical networks, improving air conditioning, repairing ambulances, and providing essential furniture and medical equipment. Relief Housing Units have also expanded hospital facilities, helping staff accommodate increased patient loads and maintain critical healthcare services.
Despite the devastation of infrastructure and the economy, recovery is beginning in Gaza. Emergency employment has become a vital mechanism to generate income, develop skills, and strengthen public services, particularly healthcare. These young medical professionals represent a skilled workforce ready to rebuild their communities, highlighting the essential role of opportunity, resilience, and service in Gaza’s recovery.
