This study aimed to examine the role of challenges resulting from successive crises on the delivery and performance of healthcare services at the Al‑Shifa Medical Complex. The research was conducted within exceptional and complex circumstances that significantly affected the healthcare system, including the Great March of Return, the COVID‑19 pandemic, and the 2023 Gaza War. These overlapping crises imposed substantial pressure on healthcare institutions and healthcare providers, influencing both service availability and the quality of medical care delivered to patients. A cross-sectional study design was adopted due to its suitability for assessing the impact of crisis-related challenges on healthcare performance within a defined timeframe. The study was conducted at Al-Shifa Medical Complex, the largest governmental healthcare facility in the Gaza Strip. The study population consisted of healthcare providers working in different clinical and supportive departments within the medical complex. A convenience sample of 135 healthcare professionals participated in the study, including 45 physicians, 9 pharmacists, 61 nurses, and 20 paramedical staff members. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire developed by the researcher to measure several key dimensions, including shortages of medical supplies and medications, occupational stress, professional burnout, and department overcrowding, as well as their impact on the quality of healthcare service delivery. The findings demonstrated a significant negative impact of crisis-related challenges on healthcare services. Severe shortages of medical resources and the large influx of patients increased occupational burnout among healthcare providers and reduced their capacity to deliver optimal care. The study recommends strengthening healthcare system preparedness through improved resource allocation, effective emergency planning, and psychosocial support programs for healthcare workers
The Role of Crisis Challenges in Healthcare Services in the Southern Governorates of Palestine: Al-Shifa Medical Complex as a Case Study
Wael Abdel Majeed Abdel Kareem Okasha