16 November 2017
The ever deteriorating conditions for patients in Gaza have a disproportionate effect on the youngest and most vulnerable. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) visited the neonatal unit at Al-Shifa Hospital to talk to staff and the families of new-born babies who live – and die – on the front-line of this humanitarian emergency.
MAP spoke to Dr Allam, head of the unit and the only doctor in Gaza with a neonatal fellowship degree, and Hasan, nurse at the unit for four years.
Dr Allam: “Firstly, the rate of new-born babies in the unit is disproportionately high compared to the number of incubators we have available. We need at least 100 fully equipped incubators but currently have 28. This leads to many new-borns waiting for long periods in recovery beds instead of incubators and means they cannot be monitored as regularly, particularly challenging because infections are prone to spreading. On top of this, we face a massive shortage of specialised medical personnel, equipment, and medications.
One of the gravest challenges the new-borns face is that many are in need of medical treatment outside of Gaza, but their referrals and permits are often delayed. From July to September, we lost 10 babies who were in need of immediate medical referral outside of Gaza. If they had been able to receive the surgery they needed, there would have been a higher chance of survival.”
Hasan: “The electricity crisis highly affects the unit, A slight delay in turning on the generators can lead to the loss of a new-born’s life. More recently, we have been provided with batteries, which has helped to keep the most vital services running in the short-term, but it’s not a long-term solution.
There is also a huge lack of medicines and working equipment. We are in particular need of Surfactant and Prostaglandin. Without Prostaglandin, some of the new-borns’ arteries may suddenly close and they could die.
And we need a much bigger team. Each nurse is responsible for up to seven new-born babies, which is overwhelming and exhausting.”
Karim* is a 20-day old baby in the neonatal unit. His father Ahmed is with him.
Ahmad: “When my son was born, the doctors told us that he had water in his lungs and had to be move to the neo-natal intensive care unit. Here he was diagnosed with problems with his arteries. But there are no doctors specialised in Mohammed’s condition here in Gaza and he has not received the potentially life-saving surgery he needs.“
Hasan: “Karim needs Surfactant and Prostaglandin daily. If he stops taking Prostaglandin, his arteries will immediately close. The doctors are not specialists in Karim's condition and referral outside of Gaza has been applied for.”
Ahmad: “The closure of Gaza’s borders means we cannot leave for treatment. We have applied for a medical referral and been through all the legal procedures but after 20 days now we are still waiting.”,
Hasan: “Every morning when I arrive to the unit and check on the new-borns, I feel very sad to still see that Mohammed has still not received his referral and left the ward.”
Ahmad: “I hope that my son will be treated and cured. We are so worried about him, and his mother, my wife, is very distressed. I have taken time off work and have been coming to the hospital every day. I just sit and watch my son in the incubator with tears in my eyes.”
Dr Allam: “MAP has done so many spectacular projects, such as training programmes for medical staff, about neo-natal life support and resuscitation. Next month there will be another training session for staff members who have not done the training before or those who did it over two years ago, so they are able to refresh their knowledge. Education in the resuscitation process has made a huge difference, and we have seen significant decreases in mortality rates among new-borns.
There are also projects regarding neo-natal screening programmes and infection prevention education. MAP also provides the unit with medical equipment and materials, such as the monitors and incubators.”
To support MAP’s life-saving work for new born babies in Gaza, please donate today:
UPDATE: Since MAP gathered this interview, Karim has been able to travel out of Gaza for surgery at Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem, and is now in a stable and improved condition. However, Karim’s parents had their travel permits denied by Israel and were unable to travel with him. His aunt was able to travel with him but while Karim waits to be discharged, he will be without his parents. Sadly, this story is not unique as restrictions to movement continue to effect patients from Gaza in many ways.
*Names changed to protect identity
