Maternal Deaths, Premature Births Rising in Gaza Amid Israeli Genocide, UNFPA says

Gaza (Quds News Network)- The UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency (United Nations Population Fund- UNFPA) said its partners in Gaza are reporting a rise in premature births and maternal deaths amid Israel’s ongoing genocide war.

According to a UNFPA report issued on November 1, nearly 1.9 million people, including 43,000 pregnant women, have been displaced, often repeatedly, as infrastructure crumbles and access to essential services like food, water, and healthcare becomes severely restricted.

“Sexual and reproductive healthcare, including postnatal and family planning services, have become severely limited for 155,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, who face serious health risks due to a lack of prenatal and postnatal care.”

“Complicated and high-risk pregnancies linked with negative outcomes have increased, while access to safe childbirth services has dramatically decreased, especially in the North.”

Many women are being forced to give birth without access to medical support, it added.

“Menstrual hygiene has also become nearly impossible to manage, as over 690,000 menstruating women lack access to basic sanitary supplies.”

“Women and girls are facing heightened risks due to overcrowded shelters and inadequate sanitation facilities. There is a rise in infections, with 25% of women experiencing skin conditions and other health issues.”

“The cost of essential items like soap has skyrocketed by 1,100%, making it impossible to keep clean and increasing women’s vulnerability to violence and exploitation.”

“In north Gaza, only two out of 20 health service points and two hospitals- Kamal Adwan and Al Awda both of which provide emergency obstetric care– are still partially functioning as they struggle to operate without supplies, fuel, food or water.”

“This will further restrict access to maternal health care for an estimated 14,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women in north Gaza.”

“Hunger is pervasive in Gaza, pushing the region to the brink of famine. An estimated 1.84 million people, including 42,000 pregnant women, face crisis levels of hunger.”

“Conditions are so dire that over 3,000 pregnant women are already experiencing catastrophic levels of food insecurity (IPC5), a number that could surge to 8,000 as winter sets in.”

“Over 15,000 pregnant women are on the verge of catastrophic levels of hunger. Without sustained aid, acute malnutrition (IPC3) is expected to affect 16,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women across Gaza in the coming months.”