After witnessing the humanitarian catastrophe firsthand, a Canadian doctor who recently returned from Gaza is calling on the federal government to match its recognition of Palestinian statehood with concrete policy changes to address the unfolding crisis.
Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, a pediatric intensive care physician who volunteered in Gaza with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), described the situation as “beyond catastrophic” during an interview with Global News. Her testimony comes just days after Canada joined over 140 countries in officially recognizing the State of Palestine, a move that has generated both praise and criticism.
“Recognition is important symbolically, but Palestinians in Gaza cannot eat recognition,” Dr. Haj-Hassan emphasized. “They need immediate policy changes that will allow humanitarian aid to enter and medical evacuations to occur without obstacle.”
During her six-week mission at Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, Dr. Haj-Hassan treated countless children with devastating injuries and witnessed healthcare facilities struggling under extreme shortages of essential supplies. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.
“I saw children with missing limbs, horrific burns, and traumatic brain injuries – all without adequate pain medication, antibiotics, or surgical equipment,” she recounted. “We were performing complex procedures under conditions that would be unimaginable in Canadian hospitals.”
The Canadian government’s recent recognition of Palestinian statehood has been described by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as part of Canada’s commitment to a two-state solution. However, critics, including Israeli officials, have condemned the timing of the announcement amid ongoing hostilities.
Dr. Haj-Hassan is advocating for Canada to use its diplomatic leverage to push for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and the facilitation of medical evacuations for severely wounded patients. She also called for an end to Canadian arms exports that could potentially be used in the conflict.
“Every day that passes without these concrete actions means more preventable deaths,” she stated. “The medical system in Gaza has essentially collapsed. Doctors are performing surgeries without anesthesia, amputating limbs that could have been saved under normal circumstances.”
Health experts estimate that nearly 80 percent of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed during the conflict. The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned about the spread of infectious diseases in overcrowded shelters and the deteriorating mental health crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has indicated that Canada is exploring additional humanitarian support mechanisms, but specifics remain unclear. Canada has committed over $100 million in aid since the conflict began, though humanitarian organizations report significant challenges in delivering assistance due to access restrictions.
Dr. Haj-Hassan emphasized that medical professionals in Gaza are making impossible choices daily. “My colleagues who remain there are working 24-hour shifts without adequate rest, food, or safety. Many have lost their own family members yet continue treating patients.”
As international pressure mounts for a ceasefire agreement, the question remains: Will Canada’s diplomatic recognition of Palestine translate into tangible policy shifts that can alleviate the immediate suffering of civilians caught in this devastating conflict?
