NNA -nbsp;Afternbsp;more thannbsp;11nbsp;months of war, the healthnbsp;care systemnbsp;in Gaza has almost collapsed. Nearly 84 per cent of health facility buildings have been destroyed or damaged, and those remaining in service lack medicines, ambulances, basic life-saving treatment, electricity, and water.nbsp;
The challenges faced in the health sector arenbsp;taking a devastating tollnbsp;on womenrsquo;s physical and mental health in the Gaza Strip.nbsp;Women have limited to no access to necessary treatments, leading to immediate and long-term health impacts.nbsp;It isestimatednbsp;thatnbsp;more thannbsp;177,000 women facenbsp;life-threatening health risks, includingnbsp;162,000,nbsp;whonbsp;have ornbsp;arenbsp;at risk ofnbsp;developingnbsp;non-communicable diseasesnbsp;(NCDs)nbsp;likenbsp;diabetes,nbsp;cancer, andnbsp;cardiovascularnbsp;ornbsp;hypertensive diseases;nbsp;andnbsp;15,000nbsp;pregnant womennbsp;who are at the brink of famine.
Pregnant and lactating womennbsp;are facing severe complications and experiencing infections, anemia, and hypertension.nbsp;Somenbsp;68per centnbsp;of pregnant women surveyed have suffered from urinary tract infections, anemia, hypertensive disorders, vaginal bleeding,nbsp;ornbsp;hemorrhage. The lack of sexual and reproductive health services is another area of concern.nbsp;
Despitenbsp;thisnbsp;serious decline in theirnbsp;overallnbsp;health, women are alsonbsp;thenbsp;mainnbsp;caregiversnbsp;for their families, eating last and least under severe hunger and starvationnbsp;conditions.nbsp;The new risk of polio is adding new challenges to a health system already operating with the bare minimum.nbsp;
ldquo;Too many women in Gaza are at risk of dying from medical complications after months withoutnbsp;any medication, limited access to doctors and no treatmentnbsp;for serious illnesses like diabetes or cancer. It is imperative that we act swiftlynbsp;to save their lives. An immediate and sustainable ceasefire,nbsp;the release of all hostages,nbsp;the provision of safe, unimpeded humanitarian aid,nbsp;and access tonbsp;medicines and healthnbsp;services throughout Gaza are essential to prevent further deterioration,rdquo; said UN Womenrsquo;snbsp;Regional Director for Arab Statesnbsp;a.i, Moeznbsp;Doraid.
UN Womenrsquo;s latest Gender Alert released todaynbsp;is thenbsp;fifthnbsp;issued on Gaza sincenbsp;7 October andnbsp;isnbsp;titlednbsp;ldquo;War on Womenrsquo;s Health: A Deep Dive into the Gendered Impact of the Warnbsp;in Gazanbsp;on the Health Sector.rdquo;nbsp;Itnbsp;provides anbsp;comprehensive gender analysis of the health sector in Gaza, uncovering heightened health risks for women, particularly concerningnbsp;NCDsnbsp;amongnbsp;thenbsp;elderly,nbsp;cancer,nbsp;infectious diseases,nbsp;andnbsp;thenbsp;health and nutrition of pregnant and lactating mothers,nbsp;amid the suspension of medical services andnbsp;without access tonbsp;medication.
UN Women echoes the UN Secretary-Generalrsquo;s call for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, the release of all hostages, and emphasizes the need for gender-sensitive provision and coordination of health services, the protection of healthcare workers, and support for women-led organizations. — UN Womennbsp;
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