"Out of the ordinary": Medical Professionals in Gaza Disturbed by Evidence of Malnourishment in Patients
In the embattled city of Gaza, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding. The United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has announced that parts of the territory are in famine, with the situation likely to worsen without a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid.
Dalia Shamali, a displaced Palestinian, shares a stark reality: her family eats only once a day and even with the recent price drop, they cannot afford basic food items. This struggle is not unique to Dalia; many residents of Gaza are facing similar hardships.
Medical workers in Gaza are treating patients with visible signs of hunger. Exposed ribs and severely skinny extremities are common sights in hospitals, a stark contrast to the usual patient profiles. The MedGlobal report describes a "catastrophic rise in severe malnutrition" among children and pregnant women in Gaza.
One of every six children under 5 in Gaza is now affected by acute malnutrition, according to both the MedGlobal report and Gaza's Health Ministry. This alarming statistic is reflected in the patients at Shifa Hospital, where Karam Akoumeh, a 17-year-old patient, presents with sunken cheeks and thin skin due to severe malnutrition. His weight has been reduced from 136 pounds to just 77 pounds.
Karam is one of 20 people at Shifa Hospital brought in for abdominal wounds and increasingly malnourished due to a shortage of intravenous nutritional supplements. This shortage is primarily due to the ongoing blockade and severe restrictions on the entry of medical supplies, creating a critical shortage amid the humanitarian crisis.
Outside the hospital, the situation is equally dire. Doctors and civilians report a severe lack of nutrients. Meat, chicken, dairy products, and fruits are unavailable in Gaza City, making it difficult for families to maintain a balanced diet.
The consequences of this famine are devastating. Following the famine announcement, eight people in Gaza died of malnutrition-related causes. During the war, over 281 people, including more than 100 children, have died of malnutrition-related causes.
Texas surgeon Mohammed Adeel Khaleel recently arrived at a Gaza City hospital to lend his expertise. He observes that many patients are not getting enough calories, a grim reminder of the severity of the situation.
This report is brought to you by The Associated Press, with Shurafa and Geller reporting from Gaza City and New York, respectively, and Abou AlJoud contributing from Beirut. Palestinians displaced from elsewhere in Gaza are recounting a desperate search for food, adding to the mounting concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the international community is urged to take action to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable populations, particularly babies and small children, who are the first to feel the brunt of famine.
