Warning about the widespread outbreak of infectious diseases in Gaza

Oxfam (the global organization to end poverty, injustice and inequality) has documented the outbreak of waterborne and infectious diseases in the Gaza Strip due to untreated water and sewage in the streets following the Israeli war in the Strip.

The organization cited the World Health Organization as saying that 88 percent of environmental samples studied across Gaza were infected with polio, so there is an imminent risk of an outbreak in the Strip.

According to the Oxfam report, infectious diseases such as acute diarrhea and respiratory infections are currently being recorded at 46,000 cases per week, with most of the victims being children.

Chickenpox and skin diseases such as scabies and jaundice are also spreading rapidly, especially among displaced Palestinians in northern Gaza, where there is a serious water shortage.

According to Oxfam’s humanitarian coordinator in Gaza, rebuilding water and sanitation infrastructure is vital for Gaza to have a path to normality after 15 months of war; a ceasefire must be in place and fuel and aid must flow so that Palestinians can get on with their lives.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry has reported that hospitals are facing a severe shortage of oxygen machines, putting patients’ lives at risk.

The ministry said that Israeli forces destroyed 10 major oxygen manufacturing plants during the war.

The attacks also reportedly damaged important hospitals such as Al-Shifa Medical Center, Al-Rantisi Hospital, Al-Doura Hospital, Indonesian Hospital, Al-Nasr Medical Complex, and Sheikh Radwan Clinic.

The 10 factories in question were supplying oxygen equipment to critical hospital units such as operating rooms, intensive care units, emergency departments, and neonatal incubators, as well as patients receiving home care.