‘Unimaginable and inhumane:’ TV Patrol highlights urgent need for medical services in Gaza

CHEERS TO ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol for a report that relied on an independent non-government organization, Doctors Without Borders or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a global institution that provides humanitarian care, fixing the spotlight on the poor state of medical facilities amid the ongoing war in Gaza. The report made use of visuals available on social media pages of the group.

In its November 3 newscast, TV Patrol featured a series of video and audio clips that MSF recorded of its work in the war-torn area, including a video message of MSF president Dr. Christos Christou who described the plight of the war-ravaged community: “. . .people are trapped, unable to escape. They have absolutely nowhere safe to go. They are deprived of essential needs: water, food, protected shelter, [and] medicines. . .” He also called for global support as Israeli airstrikes crippled medical services in Gaza. 

The report by Raphael Bosano showed videos of hospitals operating on full capacity, with many more patients waiting outside for treatment. The lack of facilities required a doctor to perform surgery on a child on the floor of the hospital. 

Bosano successfully maximized the mix of recorded material, providing effective voice-overs for continuity of the various narratives of medical workers toiling long hours and demonstrating unfailing solidarity with all in need, regardless of race or politics. The report also highlighted the kind of courage shared by medical professionals who choose to serve in places of hardship and danger anywhere in the world.  

The conflict between Israel and Palestine has divided the world. Reports of communications blackouts can prevent the rest of the world from understanding the need for independent voices that speak for universal needs and express values beyond partisan and political lines. The report showed one of the immediate consequences of war—the devastation of medical and health facilities. 

Although Bosano could not be in Gaza to report from the ground, he found records of those who were there, sharing with Filipinos the stories of those who fight another kind of battle in war zones and the courage it takes to save lives amid so much pain and suffering.