Defied personal risks, Jordanian physician aided in childbirth of Palestinian infants within Gazan region
Amidst the ongoing crisis in Gaza, a dedicated Jordanian obstetrician, Dr. Asil Al-Jallad, has been providing vital medical care to hundreds of women and girls in need. Dr. Al-Jallad, a 40-year-old native of Tulkarm in the West Bank, recently spent a month working in a field hospital in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
During her stay, Dr. Al-Jallad assisted over 500 women in delivering babies and provided scans for 100-200 pregnant women every day. Despite the challenging conditions, she was determined to fulfill her mission as a doctor, stating that her purpose was to assist those in need, with women in Gaza needing her most at this time.
The field hospital in Al-Mawasi consisted of caravans and tents, with only eight beds and limited facilities. Women were discharged soon after delivery due to the scarcity of resources. Dr. Al-Jallad observed that the majority of women she attended suffered from undernutrition during pregnancy, a common issue among women in low-socioeconomic classes.
Moreover, many women arriving at the hospital were displaced and came without their husbands, as numerous men were reluctant to travel from north to south for fear of detection by the Israeli army. The hospital lacked essential medical supplies, painkillers, epidural anesthesia, feminine hygiene products, and more.
Dr. Al-Jallad encountered numerous complications, including postpartum bleeding and inadequate documentation of newborns. UN Women reported that six months into the conflict, an estimated 10,000 Palestinian women, including 6,000 mothers, had been killed, leaving 19,000 children orphaned. At least 34,183 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, since the outbreak of war on 7 October.
According to ActionAid, Gaza has become one of the most dangerous environments for women and girls. Essential items like fruits and vegetables have become scarce and often exorbitantly priced in Gaza. The Palestinian health ministry reported that 490 medical workers have been killed, 310 have been wounded, and 80 percent of hospitals have ceased functioning since the outbreak of war.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Al-Jallad's perseverance suggests she is working under dire circumstances to tend to these vulnerable populations. She argued that thousands of women in Gaza needed medical care and that they were indeed in demand. Eventually, she received the green light to travel to Gaza.
Upon her return to Amman a week ago, Dr. Al-Jallad is eagerly awaiting her next opportunity to aid Gaza, pending a call from the Jordan Medical Association. Her commitment to providing medical care in acute humanitarian crises has earned her recognition as a lifeline for the region, facing severe devastation. However, to gain more comprehensive insights into the specific medical conditions treated, the state of the hospital facilities, and the detailed impact on women and children in Gaza, further direct testimonies or reports from Dr. Al-Jallad or affiliated healthcare sources would be needed.
- The ongoing crisis in Gaza highlights the need for analysis and conflict resolution in the Middle East.
- News outlets continue to report on the deteriorating conditions in Palestine and Israel.
- In the midst of this chaos, science and medical advancements are still crucial for addressing chronic diseases.
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- The devastation in Gaza has raised concerns about family health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
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- Skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, are prevalent and require careful management in Gaza.
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- Women's health is a critical concern, with girls in Gaza requiring urgent attention for reproductive health and maternal care.
- Parenting resources are scarce in Gaza, making family planning and childcare particularly challenging.
- Proper nutrition is crucial for the health of both mothers and children in Gaza, as malnutrition is rampant among low-socioeconomic classes.
- Medicaid and Medicare programs should prioritize supporting health care providers in disaster-stricken regions like Gaza.
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- Neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease require ongoing research and support for improved therapies.
- environmental science plays a vital role in understanding the impact of conflict on the environment and public health.
- The financial sector should invest in renewable energy and eco-friendly manufacturing to combat climate change and its effects.
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- Banking and insurance companies should prioritize disaster relief efforts and create policies that support those affected by humanitarian crises, like those in Gaza.
