Premature Infants Struggle to Survive in Northern Gaza

SadaNews - While premature infants struggle to survive, medical teams in Gaza are facing a severe shortage of essential equipment, such as ultrasound machines, incubators, and medical supplies, as well as specialized milk for premature babies, making it a daily challenge to save their lives.

From the "Al-Hilu Hospital" in northern Gaza, supported by "Doctors Without Borders", Dr. Joan Perry shares her experience caring for premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit, stating, "Initially, two children were sharing one incubator, which is shocking and unacceptable in itself. Then the number increased to three, and last week we saw five children sharing a single incubator. With each attack on healthcare facilities, only 36 incubators remain today in northern Gaza, down from 126 incubators before October 2023."

The risk of infection significantly increases when multiple children share the same incubator, especially since their immune systems, particularly for preterm infants, have not matured yet. To support the neural growth of premature infants, the medical team uses wrapped blankets or soft materials to create a barrier around the newborn to simulate the protective environment of the mother’s womb. This method is called "nesting technique," which helps stabilize the infant’s position, reduces excessive limb movements, and enhances their physical and behavioral stability.

The rise in the number of premature births can be attributed to the deteriorating health of mothers. Dr. Perry mentions, "This is my third visit to Gaza this year, and what is different this time is that a large number of pregnant women are suffering from severe underweight and anemia, which increases their likelihood of experiencing complications during pregnancy, such as premature delivery."

Pregnant women live in tragic conditions within overcrowded shelters or tents, with almost no access to clean water. Many are deprived of prenatal care due to the lack of operational health facilities and repeated displacements. As a result, high-risk pregnancies often go undetected until complications arise, and sometimes, it's too late."

She adds, "We are witnessing cases of premature births and children born with health issues that could have been avoided if even the simplest medical monitoring tools were available, such as diagnosing pneumonia or some heart defects, which can be successfully treated. But in the neonatal intensive care unit, we lack essential equipment; there are no ultrasound machines or X-ray devices, and often the blood tests we need are unavailable."

Dr. Perry affirms that "the medical team at Al-Hilu Hospital faces endless daily challenges, with the fuel crisis topping these challenges, as all hospitals in Gaza rely on diesel generators to operate. The fuel shortage leads to power outages, causing the deaths of newborns who depend on oxygen in the intensive care unit. Unfortunately, we lost an infant on the evening of Monday, July 14, 2025, after a power outage halted the oxygen supply, although saving him was possible."

She adds, "The shortage of supplies poses another significant challenge. Resources are so scarce that we have to extend the intervals between diaper changes, which can lead to rashes in infants. We also constantly face the risk of running out of baby formula. We encourage breastfeeding and take pride in being a breastfeeding-friendly hospital, but in this situation, many mothers are unable to stay to breastfeed their babies every few hours; they have to care for other family members or do not have the necessary money for transportation and must walk for hours back and forth."

Dr. Perry concludes by saying, "The situation is heartbreaking. The birth of a child should be a moment of joy and hope, but today, for a large number of families in Gaza, it is overshadowed by anxiety and fear. Despite all the challenges, the medical team continues their work with one spirit, under limited capabilities, to provide the best possible care for these newborns."