Gaza – Hospitals are about to collapse and drop aid is not enough to avoid starvation

The United Nations agencies confirmed the death of three Palestinians due to the syndrome of Ghaylan Barre*, a rare immune disease that could cause a sudden weakness in the muscles and even paralysis.

Before the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, the Strip was registered only a few cases annually.

What is the Gilan Barre syndrome?

GBS syndrome is a nervous and immune disease that affects the nervous system and gradually causes muscle paralysis. The disease is not contagious, and it is often stimulated by a previous infection – viral or bacterial – the immune system is disrupted.

In most cases, patients are completely recovered within a few weeks. But the World Health Organization confirmed that even at the best health care facilities, he dies between three and five percent of patients due to complications of the disease, such as respiratory muscles paralysis, blood poisoning, pulmonary obstruction, or cardiac arrest.

Collective injuries

The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Coordination, quoting health partners, stated that “hospitals are mired in collective injuries, at an average of eight accidents per day.”

On an update on the acute health crisis in Gaza, the office known as OCHA indicated that specialized rehabilitation facilities also suffer from tremendous pressure in dealing with complex survival injuries and Gilan Barre cases.

Until now, the health authorities in Gaza have confirmed three deaths, including two children, out of about 64 cases of Gilan Barre syndrome.

According to the World Health Organization, 30% of Gilan Barre’s syndrome patients need focused care, but there is not enough medication necessary to treat it, which is venous immunoglobulin.

Aid downloading is insufficient

The United Nations World Food Program has repeated its invitations to allow aid to flow to Gaza, as it is currently only allowed to enter limited quantities of relief.

Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the program, confirmed, in a post on social media, that it is not possible to avoid the occurrence of famine that is revealed in Gaza by landing aid.

She said that “500,000 people are starving today. The only way to help them is to deliver food to them on a large scale and by land. We do not have the luxury of waiting, Gaza suffers from a lack of food and time.”

Destruction of the World Health Organization stocks

The destruction of the main medical warehouse of the World Health Organization remains in an attack on Deir Al -Balah late last month negatively affects the health care of life in Gaza.

In particular, the acute deficiency of antibiotics hindered the treatment of meningitis patients, whose number now has reached hundreds – the highest number recorded since the beginning of the escalation according to the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Insulation procedures have been applied, including the separation of the external department in Al -Khair Hospital from Nasser Medical Complex, and the establishment of isolation tents in Al -Aqsa Hospital to treat suspected cases.