This animated GIF gives a snapshot of the challenging experience of accessing healthcare in Gaza. It is based on findings from a research which I am conducting on the political economy of health in Gaza, as part of R4HC-MENA project*. The research aims to explore the historical, contextual and structural conditions for healthcare in Gaza, and how health decisions are made in such a conflict-affected area that is affected by violence and unpredictability, as well as exploring ways that could help in reforming the health sector.

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With support from Creative Encounters* (Cambridge Public Engagement), I worked with the artist Anh Cao to share themes from this research through animated illustration. The above GIF highlights these themes through depicting a Palestinian mother who is seeking health care for her injured child. In the animation, these main characters pass through four scenes: 

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Scene One indicates a context of war, and violence that caused the injury to the child in the first place. A fallen basket of aid point out to the over-dependency of the healthcare system on international aid. As we see afterwards, international aid was not sufficient as the reality on the ground is more complex. 

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Scene Two points out to the imposed siege on the Gaza Strip by air, land and sea, and the difficulty that Palestinians, especially with NCDs, face in getting permits to receive healthcare in Israeli hospitals. A poster of internal news is also placed on the tree to draw attention to the dilemma of Palestinian schism which adds 'insult to injury'.  Another theme shown in Scene Two is the psychological impact these limitations have on the mother, as she runs out of fear and helplessness to the following scene. 

 

Scene Three shows the limited capacity of hospitals/healthcare facilities in Gaza, and how people suffer of this limitation. The mother and her child's falling in a hole in the hospital is a connotation of two things: (1) lack of protection for healthcare facilities; and (2) a traumatizing experience for patients and their carers in the healthcare system in Gaza. 

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Scene Four gives a few reasons for this traumatizing experience. The broken clog system is indicative of an outdated and fragmented healthcare which requires reform. This scene also aims to highlight the difficult conditions under which healthcare workers do their job, for example prolonged hours of daily power cuts. Finally, the scene also acknowledges the efforts exerted by health workers to support their community, reform the system, and push the wheel of healthcare in Gaza as much as they can. 

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In conclusion, the last scene loops into the first scene pointing out to the continued dilemma of healthcare in Gaza and how people find themselves stuck in a cycle of suffering. 

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This GIF on the political economy of health in Gaza is an educational tool that aims to make an important research accessible to a wider audience including researchers and the public who are interested in health in conflict areas and in the Middle East and North Africa.

 

 

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* This research is funded through the UK Research and Innovation GCRF Research for Health in Conflict (R4HC-MENA); developing capability, partnerships and research in the Middle East and North Africa, ES/P010962/1

* "The Creative projects were made possible by Wellcome ISSF funding." All projects will be displayed at Cambridge Festival in March, 2021. 

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 Written by: Dr Mona Jebril, 22nd Sept. 2020. 

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Dr Mona Jebril is a research fellow (and supernumerary Queens' postdoctoral research associate) at the Centre for Business Research, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. 

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