Elon Musk’s Starlink to be introduced at UAE’s field hospital in Gaza as communication cuts take hold

The UAE has announced plans to introduce SpaceX’s Starlink internet service at its 150-bed field hospital in the besieged Palestinian enclave, in an effort to provide live medical consultations and help healthcare personnel there deliver crucial care.

Starlink is a satellite constellation service that provides internet access using satellites revolving around the planet at between 200 km and 2,000 km. For perspective, the International Space Station that allows people to live and work orbits at 408 km.

Satellite internet is a viable option in Gaza compared to regular services. To have access to the internet using a 5G or any broadband connection, a device must be in the proximity of a cell tower. But satellites provide services even in the middle of nowhere.

UAE’s Gallant Knight 3 humanitarian operation continues

The use of billionaire Elon Musk’s high-tech satellite system can address the communication cuts troubling Gaza since October 7. Israeli attacks in response to Hamas’s deadly October assault has claimed more than 28,500 lives so far.

Frequent power cuts have also been hampering efforts to co-ordinate aid to the Palestinian people facing a deepening humanitarian crisis. Gazans are now being counted among some of the hungriest people on the planet and the need for sanitation is immediate.

The Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the UAE is working with international partners to deliver the advanced technology at the field hospital, including Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, Boston Children’s Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Foundation in the US.

UAE’s floating hospital sets sail in landmark move

Established in December 2023, the field hospital has been helping ease the significant pressure placed on Gaza’s health infrastructure by a conflict raging on for five months. More than 3,500 patients have received treatment at the facility, reported The National.

The hospital is used for general surgery and orthopaedics, in addition to providing anaesthetic services and intensive care for children and adults. It also offers dentistry, internal medicine, family medicine and psychiatric treatment.

In another major development, a 100-bed floating hospital set sail from the Emirates last week to provide medical support to Gazans in need. The repurposed vessel has 100 medical and administrative staff onboard and will remain docked off the coast of Al Arish in Egypt.

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