The absence of vaccinations poses a threat to the lives of children in Gaza, akin to gunfire
The lack of regular vaccinations in the Gaza Strip and northern regions endangers the lives of children, along with their exposure to danger due to Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the area, which has entered its fourth month since October 7th.
Children are now suffering from health complications and infections due to the “forced” absence of vaccinations, in addition to shortages of food, safe drinking water, and overcrowded conditions for displaced individuals in shelters, leading to the spread of infectious diseases, according to a report by Anadolu Agency on Friday.
Israel continues to disrupt the healthcare system in Gaza and the north by preventing the entry of medicines, consumables, and medical supplies. Most medical facilities and ambulances have been targeted. Recently, the focus has shifted to targeting medical facilities in central and southern Gaza, coinciding with intensive ground operations.
While medical facilities in the northern areas attempt to rebuild from the destruction caused, such as Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, Israel persists in obstructing the healthcare system.
In January, the Ministry of Health announced the arrival of child vaccinations in primary care centers in the southern and central areas of the Gaza Strip, but they did not reach Gaza and the north due to Israeli restrictions.
Health complications
Inside Kamal Adwan Hospital, many cases, especially among children, exhibit similar symptoms ranging from vomiting, gastrointestinal infections, severe abdominal pain, to respiratory inflammations.
Medical sources attribute these symptoms and health complications to children not receiving their routine vaccinations, which protect them from these diseases. The mother of twin infants, Mahmoud and Ibrahim Abu Jasser (8 months old), expresses her concern about her children not receiving their scheduled vaccinations at six months of age.
The unnamed mother told Anadolu, “I don’t know how I will get these vaccines, and I don’t know what will happen to them due to the delay in receiving them,” stating that the twins are currently suffering from severe vomiting, diarrhea, and high fever.
She noted that the prescribed treatments for sick children are not available in the hospital, and it is challenging to obtain them externally due to the lack of pharmacies caused by the war. She said, “Even the solution prepared for children inside the hospital is hardly found,” calling for an “end to the war” and expressing the simple desire to “live in peace and safety.”
She mentioned that the war has prevented her from communicating with her family in the southern part of the Strip for over three months. Additionally, her sister-in-law’s family was killed in an Israeli attack, and she couldn’t bid them farewell.
Psychological impact
The mother of the girl Nesma Al-Majdlawi, who is suffering from severe diarrhea and abdominal pain, says that the majority of children she knows are experiencing these health symptoms.
The mother (not disclosing her name) added to Anadolu: “The situation for children in the northern provinces is very difficult. They cannot find treatments, food, safe drinking water, clothes, or blankets to protect them from the cold. Who will take responsibility for them now?”
She explained that the psychological state of children, especially with the loss of their fathers and several family members, exacerbates their health conditions. She said, “My daughter Nesma’s health deteriorated after her father was martyred (she did not disclose the date of his martyrdom).”
The mother appealed to Arab and Western countries to “look compassionately at the children of Gaza,” adding, “They no longer have a future amid these diseases and the hunger they are experiencing.”
Difficult conditions
Amid the absence of routine vaccinations, children in northern Gaza are experiencing a deterioration in their health due to the lack of means and life necessities.
The girl Mariam Fasfous (11 years old) is one of these children, suffering from “dehydration,” according to her mother (not revealing her name) who spoke to Anadolu: “In less than a month, my daughter needs to receive vaccinations, which are not available today, and I am afraid her health condition will deteriorate.”
She explained that the difficult living conditions her family is facing in Jabalia exacerbate her daughter’s health situation. She added, “Our house is destroyed and not suitable for living, but we tried to stay in it as much as possible instead of going to shelters.”
A few days ago, a cement block fell on her daughter, causing injuries. She also suffers from difficulty breathing due to air pollution from the smoke of shells and missiles, she said.
Crowding in the pediatrics and intensive care departments
In turn, the hospital director, Hussam Abu Safiya, stated that the hospital is facing “crowding and congestion with pediatric cases,” attributed to the absence of regular vaccinations. He added that “the absence of vaccination plays a significant role in exacerbating the conditions of these cases, especially as we are in the winter season when many infections spread. Vaccinations used to protect children from many diseases.”
He explained that the concentration of people in displacement areas creates conditions for the rapid spread of infections among children, at a time when the hospital is suffering from a shortage of resources, supplies, and medical staff.
He clarified that the pediatric department within the hospital accommodates “a large number of admitted cases that could have recovered and improved if they had received vaccinations on time.”
Continuing, he said, “But the lack of these vaccinations in the northern areas has led to crowding in this department and in the Intensive Care Unit as well.”
He mentioned that several health complications and symptoms affecting children due to not receiving vaccinations are in an advanced stage, making them in need of intensive care.
He summarized the symptoms affecting children, saying, “Acute gastrointestinal infections and viral infections affecting the respiratory system in children under 6 months.”
He warned of the spread of new diseases that may affect children in the coming days if regular vaccinations are not provided.
He pointed out that the hospital has received promises to activate a schedule and plan for regular vaccinations in the northern areas of Gaza, without revealing the timing.
Spread of epidemics
Regarding the spread of epidemics among children, Abu Safiya said that this occurs due to their overcrowding in shelter centers with a lack of hygiene factors.
He added: “Also, the lack of healthy food provided to children is a fundamental factor for the occurrence and spread of infections, developing them adversely.”
He explained that the scarcity of clean and safe water necessary for infants to use in preparing formula or for drinking for children over two years contributes to the spread of diseases and weakens their immune system.
