2023-11-19 19:53:55
Today, 31 premature babies struggling to survive were rescued from Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza and transferred to the south. In extremely dangerous conditions, UNICEF carried out the operation together with WHO, UNRWA, OCHA and UNMAS, as well as the Palestinian Red Crescent, medical authorities and hospital staff.
The condition of the newborns had recently deteriorated rapidly, several infants had tragically died and medical care at Al-Shifa Hospital had completely collapsed.
At the request of health authorities, the newborns were transferred from Al-Shifa Hospital to Al-Helal Al-Emarati Hospital in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, in temperature-controlled incubators under the supervision of medical staff, where they are now being stabilized and cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit .
UNICEF and its partners are supporting the identification and registration of babies in order to reunite them with their parents and relatives, if possible.
From the beginning of the crisis, UNICEF has delivered medical supplies and baby supplies to hospitals in the southern and central areas of Gaza to care for around 244,000 people, including newborns in other intensive care units. Water was trucked in to five hospitals to provide the absolute minimum of three liters per person per day for around 50,000 people.
Hospitals, health facilities and their staff must be spared from attacks. All measures must be taken to protect patients, caregivers and civilians from violence. UNICEF continues to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and to ensure that life-saving fuel and medical supplies reach health facilities wherever they are.
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