UN: Reproductive healthcare at lowest level in Gaza, over 155,000 pregnant, breastfeeding women severely impacted

The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to take an overwhelming toll on women’s health, particularly when it comes to reproductive care.

According to the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, there’s been a disturbing rise in premature births and maternal deaths since Israel’s war on the Palestinian enclave began.

The agency warns that “sexual and reproductive health care, including postnatal and family planning services, have become severely limited” for approximately 155,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, putting them at serious risk due to inadequate prenatal and postnatal care.

The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that complicated and high-risk pregnancies have increased, while access to safe childbirth services has plummeted, especially in the North. The consequences are heartbreaking, with many women being forced to give birth without medical support. This isn’t just a matter of healthcare; it’s a matter of life and death.

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

The condition is equally challenging when it comes to menstrual hygiene. Over 690,000 menstruating women lack access to basic sanitary supplies, making it nearly impossible to manage their hygiene. The cost of essential items like soap has skyrocketed by 1,100%, leaving women vulnerable to exploitation and violence.

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

“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,” it added.

So far in Gaza, Israeli military attacks have killed at least 43,374 Palestinians and wounded 102,261 since October 7, 2023. Most of the victims are women and children.
An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day and more than 200 were taken captive.