Pregnant Women in Gaza Suffering from Malnutrition and Lack of Healthcare
Wafaa al-Kurd, a pregnant woman in Gaza, recently gave birth to a baby girl named Tayma, weighing nearly six pounds. However, her story is just one of many in the besieged enclave where nearly 60,000 pregnant women are suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and lack of proper healthcare.
With her husband struggling to find enough food for her to breastfeed and keep Tayma alive, Wafaa’s situation is dire. The Gaza health ministry reported that about 5,000 women in Gaza are giving birth every month in harsh and unsafe conditions due to the ongoing bombardment and displacement.
Dr. Deborah Harrington, an obstetrician working in Gaza, expressed concern over the lack of pre- and postnatal care for expectant and new mothers, putting both their lives and their babies at risk. Some women are even forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions, without proper medical assistance.
The Global Nutrition Cluster found that over 90 percent of children under 2 and pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza are facing severe food poverty. Many women, like Aya Saada, are struggling to find fruits and vegetables to eat and clean water to drink, leading to weight loss and health issues during pregnancy.
The situation is dire for vulnerable mothers and their babies, as malnourishment increases the risk of anemia, miscarriage, and stillbirth. Pregnant women who have been injured in the bombardment or contracted infectious diseases face even higher risks.
As the United Nations and aid agencies warn of looming famine in Gaza, pregnant women like Kholoud Saada are left with no healthy food options in the markets. With limited access to nutritious food and clean water, these women fear for the health of their unborn babies.
The stories of these women shed light on the urgent need for humanitarian aid and support in Gaza, where the ongoing conflict has left thousands of pregnant women and their babies at risk.
