Rising Birth Defects in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict and Healthcare Collapse

The Gaza Strip is witnessing a significant public health crisis, characterized by a disturbing rise in congenital disabilities among newborns. This trend is attributed to the ongoing conflict, deteriorating living conditions, and a lack of essential medical and nutritional care for pregnant women.

Conflict and Hunger Intensify Pregnant Women's Suffering

According to a report by "Reuters," the war has directly affected pregnant women in Gaza, who are experiencing forced displacement, malnutrition, and unsafe childbirth conditions, compounded by food scarcity and restrictions on essential food supplies, particularly those for mothers and children.

Hospitals Lacking Resources for Diagnosis

Experts indicate that hospitals in the Gaza Strip are ill-equipped to detect and diagnose congenital disabilities due to severe overcrowding, a shortage of medical equipment, and the absence of basic prenatal tests.

Ahmad Al-Fara, head of the pediatrics and obstetrics department at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, confirmed an increase in cases of congenital disabilities in various areas of the strip, particularly in the central and southern regions.

Silent Abortions Due to Lack of Early Screening

Al-Fara explained that a major challenge is the inability to detect abnormalities early in pregnancy, resulting in many spontaneous abortions due to abnormal symptoms. It is often only later confirmed in hospitals that the fetus has died. He noted that the rising rates of abortion and congenital disabilities are evident, but the lack of vital screenings, such as folic acid and essential vitamins, complicates the identification of exact causes.

Folic Acid Deficiency as a Key Cause of Birth Defects

Al-Fara pointed out that one of the primary causes of congenital disabilities is the severe lack of nutritional supplements, particularly folic acid and essential fatty acids. This deficiency has led to an increase in cases of central nervous system malformations and neural tube defects, which are crucial for brain and spinal cord development. He noted that these cases have doubled compared to pre-war levels due to the severe malnutrition among pregnant women.

Pollution and Radiation Heighten Risks

Al-Fara warned that pollutants from munitions and destruction, along with potential toxic or radioactive materials, are confirmed causes of the rise in congenital disabilities. The absence of radiological measurement devices in the strip leaves the true level of contamination unknown.

Births with Fatal Malformations and Long Waits for Treatment

He reported instances of newborns with fatal malformations who survive only days or weeks, alongside cases requiring urgent surgical interventions that are unavailable in the strip, such as cardiac and neurological surgeries. Common current malformations include cleft lip, cleft palate, complex heart defects, and congenital heart diseases.

One Thousand Children Awaiting Transfer from Gaza

Al-Fara revealed that approximately 1,000 cases of children with congenital heart diseases are pending transfer for treatment outside the Gaza Strip, a number unprecedented compared to pre-war periods.

Water Contamination Worsens Health Crisis

He confirmed that environmental pollution, particularly groundwater contamination, plays a direct role in exacerbating the crisis, warning that residents are forced to drink contaminated water, perpetuating a dangerous cycle of health issues that will worsen in the future.

Medical Capabilities Nearly Nonexistent

Al-Fara emphasized that Gaza's hospitals have almost no capacity to treat congenital disabilities, stating that available services are limited to childbirth and basic respiratory care, while complex surgeries are entirely unavailable. He noted that ongoing border closures result in the deaths of many children waiting to be transferred for treatment outside the strip.