An Israeli doctor in a hospital receiving soldiers wounded in the ongoing operations spoke about the nature of the “physical and psychological” injuries of the soldiers she deals with.
Dr. Marina Claudy is a thoracic surgery expert at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, but her duties changed weeks ago to deal with injuries to Israeli soldiers, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
The doctor told the widely circulated Israeli newspaper: “We are dealing with gunshot and shrapnel injuries in the chest, which cause bleeding either in the lung or in the blood vessels in the chest or in the chest wall.
Claudie explained: “It is important to note that these types of injuries are immediately life-threatening, because if there is severe bleeding in the chest, a large blood vessel can be damaged and bleed, and if it is not stopped, this requires surgical intervention.”
She continued: “If chest wounds are not contained immediately, they are life-threatening. This is not a drip bleed.”
The doctor continued: “When a helicopter arrives, you never know what to expect,” referring to the Israeli army helicopters that transport wounded soldiers to the hospital.
In the latest official update, 168 Israeli soldiers were killed in ground battles inside the Gaza Strip that began in late October, while the number of Israeli military deaths since October 7 rose to 502, in addition to hundreds being injured.
Injuries and depression
On the other hand, Claudie pointed to the psychological injuries that Israeli soldiers are exposed to after undergoing the necessary treatment and escaping death.
She added: “One of them arrived with a gunshot wound to the head and suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, shrapnel in the neck area near the esophagus, another inside the lung, and bleeding in the chest.”
The doctor confirmed: “We performed chest surgery, controlled the bleeding, and removed all the blood clots and the shrapnel. Among other things, he also underwent brain surgery.”
As for his psychological condition, she said: “He is in good condition now and has recovered and returned to his normal state. The last time I saw him he was in the rehabilitation department, but he seemed very depressed because of everything he had been through.”
She explained: “It is difficult. We can save lives but it is not the person’s soul that is damaged through this severe trauma. Of those who survived you cannot say that everyone is happy because they survived.”
She pointed out that psychologists and social workers in the hospital are trying to rehabilitate the injured, and even doctors as well.
“It’s very difficult,” Claudie said. “I see my colleagues in surgery and in intensive care. They are very depressed because of the situation. Everyone has a family member, friend or colleague who is being drafted, and when you see this you have to deal mentally with the possibility of this happening (injuries).” To your relatives too.”
2023-12-30 12:43:14
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