The waiting game: Gaza’s CT scan shortage causing worries and worse

Gaza's healthcare system is experiencing severe strain due to a dramatic reduction in diagnostic imaging capacity. Before the conflict began in October 2023, the territory had 18 CT scan machines in operation. Today, only three functional units serve the entire population across all governorates, according to physicians working in Gaza's remaining medical facilities.

The collapse of imaging infrastructure has created a bottleneck in patient care. Medical teams are forced to implement strict rationing protocols, reserving scans for emergency cases while patients with less acute conditions face extended waiting periods. In some instances, delays have stretched to weeks or months, preventing timely diagnosis of serious conditions including cancer, which requires early detection for effective treatment.

The broader healthcare infrastructure has deteriorated significantly. According to the World Health Organization, 94% of hospitals in Gaza have sustained damage or been destroyed, leaving only 19 of 36 facilities partially operational as of May 2025. All seven MRI machines that existed before the war are now non-functional, further limiting diagnostic capabilities.

Physicians emphasize that imaging delays carry consequences beyond simple postponement of diagnosis. Extended waiting periods can allow conditions to progress unchecked, leading to complications that might have been preventable with earlier intervention. The pressure on remaining equipment intensified after the CT scanner at Al-Aqsa Hospital ceased functioning, redirecting additional patient volume to facilities like Yafa Hospital, which now handles cases ranging from blast injuries to cardiac emergencies.