(Al-Bireh -2/8/2018): PRCS’ Emergency Medical Teams treated approximately 10 344 casualties in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during the period from the end of March to the end of June 2018. According to Ministry of Health reports, 166 martyrs including two women, two medics and 23 children fell during this 3-month period as Israeli occupation forces clamped down on Palestinians taking part in March of Return protests.
In the Gaza Strip, PRCS’ medical crews treated 8204 casualties: 3027 for live bullet wounds, 3587 for tear gas suffocation, 738 for burns and wounds sustained as a result of Israeli bombs and shrapnel, 845 for tear gas canister wounds and 7 for rubber-coated bullet wounds.
In the West Bank, 2130 casualties were treated including 64 for live bullet wounds, 571 for rubber-coated bullet wounds, 1384 for tear gas suffocation and 111 for burns, bruises and other wounds.
During the same period, Israeli occupation forces committed 169 violations against PRCS’ crews in the line of duty. 7 EMTs sustained live bullet wounds while 19 PRCS’ ambulances were damaged.
Four Advanced Medical Posts were deployed throughout the Gaza Strip to receive casualties with non-life-threatening wounds. 4384 patients were treated in these posts while another 3357 were referred to Gaza Strip hospitals.
Every Friday, 120 additional volunteers and supporting staff join the ranks of PRCS’ Al Quds Hospital in Gaza City and Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis to help treat the hundreds of casualties arriving at the two hospitals.
Moreover, the Society’s Psychological First Aid (PFA) team in the Gaza Strip treated about 7303 patients including 3309 wounded persons and their relatives as well as medical service providers. These services aimed at alleviating pain, reducing trauma and restoring personal balance.
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