"ActionAid": 7 out of 10 Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in Gaza Suffer from Malnutrition

SadaNews - The international organization ActionAid warned today, Saturday, of the rising rates of malnutrition among pregnant and breastfeeding women in the Gaza Strip, confirming that 70 to 75% of the 300 women who visit Al-Awda Hospital, a partner of the organization, daily suffer from a lack of food and essential supplements for pregnancy.

ActionAid indicated that it received testimonies from doctors and pregnant women in the Gaza Strip about pregnancy complications resulting from hunger and shortages of medical supplies, following a week of confirming the "Integrated Food Security Phase Classification" (IPC) that reported famine conditions in Gaza City.

Dr. Yasser, a physician at Al-Awda Hospital, stated: "Women are suffering from malnutrition, which is reflected in their decreased body weights, lower fetal weights, decreased fetal movement, and deteriorating health of both the mother and the fetus. There is anemia, calcium deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency, all of which negatively affect the health of the mother and the fetus."

Doctors warned that the lack of calories and nutrients puts the lives of pregnant mothers and their fetuses at risk, noting an increase in pregnancy complications, including miscarriages.

For his part, Dr. Mohammed Salha, the acting director of Al-Awda Hospital, said: "The situation in Gaza is very difficult, more than 60,000 women have been affected by food shortages, and many of them are facing malnutrition. Although the nutrition department distributes supplements, the need is greater than our capacity."

Some women spoke about their direct suffering; Nivin, who is two months pregnant, said: "There is no food or medical supplies, and I have miscarried twice due to a lack of vitamins and medical care." While Dua, a mother about to give birth, said: "I feel dizzy and shiver due to hunger, and there are no treatments or medicines."

ActionAid called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to the blockade on humanitarian aid, to allow the entry of food, medical supplies, and fuel, stressing that the humanitarian cost of the blockade is extremely high, and daily reports of pregnancy complications due to a lack of food and medical care are being recorded.