My name is Nermeen abo Mostafa, and I am a medical student in Gaza.
Do you know how I study? Do you ever wonder how the medical students of Gaza access and submit their exams? Despite the power outage and the lack of books, I walk long distances to search for good internet so I can download lectures and take online exams. Three months ago, I searched for good internet to take my first exam, and danger was everywhere. Explosions were happening around me, but I continued walking towards a place with functional internet. All my thoughts were about my exam.
I’m in my third year of medical school in Gaza, where my family has always supported my dreams. Before this war, we lived safe and secure in our homes, but everything changed. The war stole our safety and killed many of my friends and family members without mercy.
In the past year, we have moved from place to place, searching for safety, but there is no safe place in Gaza. My family and I have been displaced seven times. We have lived in tents under high temperatures, lack of hygiene, the spread of epidemics, and hunger.
My dreams almost disappeared completely when my university was destroyed. When electronic learning became an option, however, I immediately decided to register and complete my studies. My dream since childhood is to become a humanitarian doctor, and I will not allow a war that destroys everything to destroy my dream as well.
I use solar energy to charge my phone, but its battery depletes within a few hours. I have to be the most organized student possible in order to make the most of my limited battery life. I download files and books onto my phone, but it is difficult to concentrate on the small text when I have frequent headaches due to malnutrition.
Often, I cannot sleep due to the abundance of danger: the sounds of explosions and bullets. Yet, despite everything, I have not given up and I will never give up. There is a dream waiting for me; there are people who need help; there are lives that need to be saved.
The health sector in Gaza has been largely destroyed. We are trying to work effectively despite our lack of medicine and tools.
Seven months ago, many wounded people were killed before my eyes because of the crumbling health sector. For months, we were surrounded by occupation vehicles, and many people were injured by random gunshots or shrapnel from bombing.
Among them was someone I knew. He was hit by three bullets, including one in the stomach, which led to a rupture of his intestines. We tried to control the external bleeding, but we knew that he needed quick surgical intervention to save his life. However, it would be difficult for the ambulance to reach us because of the surrounding danger. Within half an hour, he breathed his last. This was the first shock I experienced in my professional career. I remember that he said to me, “Doctor, I don’t want to die, help me.”
When he was killed, I sat on the floor crying. I chose to study medicine in order to save lives, yet when I saw a life in danger before me and a patient directly asked me for help, I was powerless to save him.
I still try to help as much as I can.
I have volunteered in medical settings since the beginning of the war, and I am currently working as a volunteer doctor at the European Gaza Hospital. I started in May 2024, and now I am back after evacuation interrupted operations.
I do not know what healthcare will look like in the future. I do not know if Gaza will receive support from the international community, or if there will be any attempt to rebuild and return things to normal. Many health workers have been killed, and most health centers have been destroyed. Yet, the European Hospital is trying to continue the work despite our greatly limited capabilities. There is a great need for manpower, medications, and medical tools.
As medical students in Gaza, we need tools to help us study. We need electricity, strong internet, and books. We need a safe environment. Our health has become weak and we are unable to concentrate without good food.
My advice to students in other war zones around the world is to never surrender as long as you have the opportunity to keep going, even despite the lack of capabilities. Stand up again, remember your dreams, and save as many lives as you can.
I am Nermeen from Gaza. I hope with all my heart that my voice reaches the whole world.
About the authors: Nermeen Ziyad is a twenty-one year old, third year medical student currently located in Khan Younis. She volunteers at the European Gaza Hospital, primarily in the emergency department, and she teaches a nursing skills course.
Yara Changyit-Levin, a junior at Johns Hopkins University majoring in Public Health and Anthropology, edited and submitted this piece on behalf of Nermeen to ease her workload, storage, and internet access issues.
Competing interests: None
Handling Editor: Neha Faruqui