By international Web desk SCN
Displacement, shortages of food, hospitals endanger pregnant women in Gaza: UN
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has highlighted plights of women in the besieged enclave of Gaza Strip. The pregnant women’s lives are endangered because of displacement, food scarcity and less medical facilities, the UN body said.
“Pregnant women in Gaza are finding it increasingly challenging to access the life-saving care they need due to repeated displacement, insecurity and attacks on healthcare facilities, coupled with unaffordable transportation costs and the lack of ambulance services,” it said.
The OCHA said as per UNFPA reports, anecdotal information suggests that some emergency deliveries are taking place in tents without medical support.
“Water scarcity and limited maternal health medicines are also exposing pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBW) to various risks, as doctors continue to report rising numbers of preterm and low-birth weight babies, which are common indicators of severe malnourishment compounded by stress, fear and exhaustion.
“An estimated 30,000 pregnant women are facing acute levels of hunger (IPC Phase 3), more than 10,000 are on the verge of famine (IPC Phase 4) and close to 7,000 are in famine conditions (IPC Phase 5), with a total of 155,000 PBW in urgent need of increased food assistance and nutritious supplements, according to UNFPA.”