Oxfam sounds alarm on preventable babies' deaths

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Oxfam
24 Nov 2023 15:30

Tragically, at least one newborn in each of the makeshift shelters has died from preventable causes over the past month, according to Oxfam's partner, Juzoor.

Newborns were taken out of incubators that could not be kept running in Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital due to the total Israeli blockade and constant raids on the medical facility. (AFP via Getty Images)

Oxfam has issued a warning about the dire state of Gaza's hospitals and healthcare system, coupled with catastrophic living conditions, leading to preventable deaths of newborns due to the brutal Israeli aggression and its total blockade on Gaza.

In a new report, the rights forum acknowledged that babies up to three months old are succumbing to conditions like diarrhea, hypothermia, dehydration, and infection due to the lack of medical support and appalling living conditions.

The charity emphasized that even a four-day humanitarian pause is insufficient to address the extensive needs and destruction. Premature and underweight infants are at high risk without essential equipment and medical aid.

In a similar context, Oxfam's partner, Juzoor, has reported supporting 500 pregnant women among 35,000 people in shelters lacking clean water and sanitation in northern Gaza.

A significant increase in premature births

Tragically, at least one newborn in each of these shelters has died from preventable causes over the past month, according to Juzoor's reports. The organization notes a significant increase in premature births and cases of placenta abruption, a serious childbirth complication, especially in northern Gaza.

Umaiyeh Khammash, Juzoor Director, describes the heartbreaking situation of losing babies in shelters with limited maternity support, scarce food, and the absence of fuel affecting hospitals and shelters. With winter approaching, the conditions worsen, posing a disaster, particularly for expectant mothers.

Pregnant women in #Gaza are being told that they have to deliver their babies and recover from their pain without any anesthetics or painkillers. This comes as Israeli brutal bombing near hospitals in the Gaza Strip continues.#GazaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/h7EB4Enkum
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 1, 2023

Most hospitals in northern Gaza are non-operational due to Israeli military attacks, and those in the south are overwhelmed and lack essential supplies, as per the report. Even before the recent escalation, Gaza had one of the world's highest neonatal mortality rates.

Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam’s Middle East Regional Director, expresses deep concern over babies dying from preventable conditions, highlighting the inhumane circumstances where mothers give birth without medical support or basic hygiene in crowded classrooms.

Oxfam urgently calls for a complete ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to restore vital services and provide crucial medical support, especially for pregnant women and newborns.