The number of premature births rose by almost a third in Israeli-besieged Gaza last month as mothers suffer increasing stress and trauma, British charity Oxfam said on Thursday.
Dozens of premature babies were rescued from a hospital in northern Gaza and transferred to Egypt after the site was bombed.
The northern part of the territory was attacked in Israel’s six-week military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, and none of the region’s hospitals are operating normally.
Juzoor, an Oxfam partner organization that is supporting hundreds of pregnant women in Gaza, said the number of premature births has increased by 25-30% in the last month, attributing the increase to the difficulties faced by mothers who have had to flee their homes due to to the bombing and suffered stress and trauma.
Premature babies are more susceptible to illness and Juzoor said at least one newborn died in each of its 13 shelters for displaced people in northern Gaza last month.
Even before the current conflict, Gaza had a high infant mortality rate, with newborn deaths accounting for 68% of the total, according to the World Health Organization.
Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam’s Middle East regional director, said some displaced mothers had to give birth in crowded classrooms without medical support or basic hygiene.
“I don’t think there’s anyone anywhere in the world who disagrees that it’s just inhumane,” she said.
Source: CNN Brasil
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