UN SAYS 5,500 WOMEN SET TO GIVE BIRTH IN GAZA OVER NEXT TWO WEEKS

Palestinians escape after Israeli airstrikes on their homes in Gaza City, Gaza on October 15, 2023. [Ali Jadallah – Anadolu Agency]

Fri 10 October 2023:

The figure represents a stark reminder of the ongoing medical emergency in Gaza, where a critical shortage of fuel and other supplies has left overcrowded hospitals either forced to shutter or operating in a skeletal capacity.

The UN Population Fund has said there are 50,000 pregnant women in the enclave in total.

“If you have 180 women giving birth every day under these conditions, food, water, medicines, the access to caesarian sections and to care for the newborn, depend on fuel,” said Dr Natalia Kanem, the executive director of the agency.

While a limited amount of aid deliveries have been allowed to enter Gaza, fuel has been blocked by Israel. Humanitarian groups say the limited supplies are also barely reaching those in need in the north of Gaza.

Laila Baker, Regional Director for the Arab States at the sexual and reproductive health agency, said she fears for the fate of new mothers and their children amid the “loss of complete humanity” in Gaza.

She told UN News that pregnant Palestinian women fleeing bombardment are riddled with anxiety, but also hope and happiness, as they struggle to find qualified health professionals who can support them with a safe delivery.

“Put yourself in the shoes of that woman when the surgeon says to her ‘I have no anaesthesia, I don’t even have water or soap to wash my hands, but I’m going to try and save your life,’” she said.

“Over 135 health facilities have been targeted. The remaining health facilities that stay standing have very little medication, no fuel to run electricity. We’ve had caesarean sections for emergency deliveries that have been done with little or no anaesthesia and on occasion only with the light from a mobile phone.” Baker added.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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