Health Crisis in Gaza: Over 150,000 Suffer from Skin Diseases in War-Torn Territory

Gaza’s Children Face Alarming Rise in Skin Infections Amid Humanitarian and Health Crisis in Gaza. Skin Diseases Rampant Among Displaced Children in Amid War Conditions!

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 150,000 people, including many children suffering from various skin diseases. This alarming situation is exacerbated by the squalid living conditions in which displaced Gazans find themselves. Since the eruption of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a surge in skin infections, highlighting the dire need for improved sanitation and healthcare in the region.

A Mother’s Struggle: Wafaa Elwan’s Story

Wafaa Elwan, a mother of seven, is one of many struggling to provide a safe and healthy environment for her children in the Gaza tent city where they have sought refuge. Her five-year-old son’s incessant scratching and the white and red blotches covering his body are a testament to the harsh conditions faced by displaced families. “My son can’t sleep through the night because he can’t stop scratching his body,” she shares, reflecting the broader health crisis affecting the community.

Living Conditions Contributing to Health Crisis in Gaza

The tent cities and makeshift camps where many displaced Gazans reside are rife with poor hygiene and lack basic sanitation facilities. “We sleep on the ground, on sand where worms come out underneath us,” Elwan describes. The inability to maintain proper hygiene, coupled with the absence of sanitary products, has made it nearly impossible to prevent the spread of skin infections. Parents, who once encouraged their children to wash in the Mediterranean Sea, now face a new challenge as the polluted waters exacerbate the risk of disease. “The sea is all sewage. They even throw garbage and baby napkins into the sea,” Elwan laments.

WHO’s Grim Statistics

The WHO’s reports paint a bleak picture: 96,417 cases of scabies and lice, 9,274 cases of chickenpox, 60,130 cases of skin rashes, and 10,038 cases of impetigo have been documented since the start of the conflict. These numbers underscore the urgent need for medical intervention and better living conditions for the displaced population. Sami Hamid, a pharmacist running a makeshift clinic in Deir al-Balah, attests to the widespread nature of these infections. “Scabies and chickenpox are particularly widespread in the coastal Palestinian territory,” he says.

Treating the Symptoms Amid Resource Shortages

In the makeshift clinics, healthcare workers like Hamid are doing their best to alleviate the suffering of affected individuals. However, the lack of medicines poses a significant challenge. In one instance, Hamid applied calamine lotion to soothe the itching of two boys covered in chickenpox blisters. He explains, “Children’s skin suffers from the hot weather and the lack of clean water,” further highlighting the environmental factors contributing to the spread of infections.

Vulnerability of Gaza’s Children

Mohammed Abu Mughaiseeb, the medical coordinator in Gaza for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), emphasizes the heightened vulnerability of children in these conditions. The combination of hot weather, sweat, and dirt increases the likelihood of rashes and allergies, which can lead to infections when scratched. MSF doctors are particularly concerned about the potential emergence of other skin conditions, such as leishmaniasis, which can be fatal in its most severe form.

The Impact of Displacement on Health

The displacement of nearly 1.9 million people in Gaza, out of a population of 2.4 million, has created a situation where maintaining proper hygiene is nearly impossible. “People are not living in houses anymore, there is no proper hygiene,” Abu Mughaiseeb states. The primitive toilets and inadequate sanitation facilities in the camps are contributing to the spread of diseases. WHO has reported a staggering 485,000 cases of diarrhoea, further complicating the health crisis.

Educational Impact and Health Concerns

The spread of skin diseases is also affecting educational facilities. Hamid recounts a visit to a makeshift school where 24 out of 150 students had scabies. Ola al-Qula, a teacher at one of the tent schools, confirms the rapid spread of infections among students. “Some of them have developed skin infections, and unfortunately these infections are spreading among them,” she says. The conditions in the camps, coupled with the lack of hygiene, are making it difficult to contain the spread of diseases.

A Call for Urgent Action

The health crisis in Gaza is a stark reminder of the broader humanitarian needs of the displaced population. The WHO, MSF, and other humanitarian organizations are working tirelessly to provide medical care and improve living conditions, but the challenges are immense. The war has devastated basic facilities, and the pollution of the Mediterranean Sea has removed a vital source of hygiene for many families.

Conclusion

As the conflict continues, the plight of displaced Gazans, particularly children, demands urgent attention. The rise in skin diseases is just one aspect of the broader health crisis affecting the region. Improving sanitation, providing adequate medical supplies, and ensuring access to clean water are critical steps in addressing this issue. The international community must recognize the severity of the situation and work towards a comprehensive solution to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s displaced population.