Gaza women undergoing c-sections, emergency surgery without anesthesia, sterilization

Thousands of women in Gaza are risking their lives to give birth and are undergoing caesareans and emergency surgeries without sterilization, anesthesia or painkillers, international non-governmental organization (NGO) ActionAid said in a statement on Tuesday.

In the only remaining operational hospital in the north of Gaza, doctors have performed 16 caesarean sections over the weekend and have delivered between 18 and 20 babies per day, despite lack of crucial medical supplies such as anaesthetic.

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Earlier this month, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency UNFPA stated that there are currently 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza.

An estimated 5,500 are due to give birth in the coming month, totaling at more than 160 births per day, according to the agency.

“We are providing maternity services in the northern area. Today we received many patients – pregnant women from Gaza City – because the hospitals are closed,” a senior doctor at al-Awda hospital told ActionAid in a voice message.

“We delivered 16 caesarean sections today in Al-Awda Hospital. We are now receiving about 18-20 newborn deliveries every 24 hours. I think this number will increase in the next days because people will come to Al-Awda Hospital from Gaza City.”

“Thousands of women in Gaza are risking their lives to give birth, undergoing caesareans and emergency operations without sterilization, anaesthesia, or painkillers. These women deserve quality healthcare and the right to give birth in a safe place. Instead, they are being forced to bring their babies into the world amid utterly hellish conditions,” Riham Jafari, Coordinator of Advocacy and Communication for ActionAid Palestine, said.

Al-Awda hospital, run by ActionAid’s partner, has had no electricity or fuel for the last three days but has continued to operate on patients who need emergency medical care, relying solely on batteries, the doctor said.

With all other hospitals in the area forced to close, doctors at Al-Awda are supporting pregnant women fleeing Gaza City or those in the north of the territory, who are desperately seeking treatment and a suitable place to give birth.

“There are big challenges, but we are keeping our services and continuing to run. We have shortages of medical supplies, medications and emergency drugs, anesthesia drugs. But our doctors and our team are managing this shortage as they can. It’s really challenging. We are trying to survive. We are trying to keep our services running,” the doctor said.

Unfolding Catastrophe as hospitals run out of fuel

The situation for hospitals in Gaza is catastrophic – since Friday major medical facilities in the besieged enclave and their surrounding areas have come under intensive Israeli attack.

Twenty-two of Gaza’s 35 hospitals – including two of its biggest medical facilities, Al-Shifa and Al-Quds – are no longer operational due to running out of fuel.

With no let up from the constant shelling in the surrounding area, people are trapped inside without water, food, or electricity.

At Al-Shifa hospital, three newborn babies have died since Saturday after their incubators had to be turned off, its staff has said.

Staff say they are now desperately trying to keep 36 remaining newborns alive. At least 32 of the hospital’s patients have died over the last few days, yet it is impossible for bodies to be buried, the health ministry has said.

“Hospitals lack food, water, electricity and fuel, and an ever-growing number are ceasing to function completely. How high must the bodies pile up, how many more helpless babies must die before this suffering ends?” Jafari said in a statement.

ActionAid has called for an immediate ceasefire to ensure that enough fuel and medical supplies can enter Gaza and reach hospitals so they can start providing life-saving care to those in need.

“It cannot be stated strongly enough: hospitals are not and must never be targets. These safe havens have a protected status under international humanitarian law and this must be respected,” Jafari said.

Read more:

Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital director says 179 buried in ‘mass grave’ in compound

Israeli forces outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, offer to send in incubators

Israeli tanks at gate of main Gaza hospital as medics plead for fuel to save babies