Publish: 16:42, 06 Dec, 2024

Ailing kids wait months to leave Gaza for treatment

Online Desk
Ailing kids wait months to leave Gaza for treatment
Photo - Collected

The 12-year-old Palestinian boy was lying in a hospital bed in central Gaza, wracked with leukemia, malnourished and whimpering in pain despite the morphine doctors were giving him, when Rosalia Bollen, a UNICEF official, said she saw him in late October.

Islam al-Rayahen’s family had asked Israeli authorities six times over the past months for permission to evacuate him from Gaza for a desperately needed stem cell transplant, Bollen said. Six times, the request was refused for unexplained security reasons, she said, reports AP.

Islam died three days after she saw him, Bollen said.

Thousands of patients in Gaza are waiting for Israeli permission for urgently needed medical evacuation from Gaza for treatment of war wounds or chronic diseases they can’t get after the destruction of much of the territory’s health care system by Israel’s 15-month military campaign.

Among them are at least 2,500 children who UNICEF says must be transported immediately.

“They cannot afford to wait. These children will die. They’re dying in waiting and I find it striking that the world is letting that happen,” Bollen said.

The Israeli military often takes months to respond to medical evacuation requests, and the number of evacuations has plunged in recent months. In some cases, the military rejects either the patient or, in the case of children, the caregivers accompanying them on vague security grounds or with no explanation.

The Israeli decisions appear to be “arbitrary and are not made on a criteria nor logic,” said Moeen Mahmood, the Jordan country director for Doctors Without Borders.

COGAT, the Israeli military agency in charge of humanitarian affairs for Palestinians, said in a statement to The Associated Press that it “makes every effort to approve the departure of children and their families for medical treatments, subject to a security check.” It did not respond when asked for details about Islam’s case.

A military official said Israel’s internal intelligence service reviews whether the patient or their escort have what he called “a connection to terrorism,” and if one is found they are refused. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential procedures.

Osaid Shaheen, who is nearly 2, now faces having his eyes removed after Israel rejected his evacuation for treatment of cancer in his retinas.

The toddler was diagnosed with the cancer in April, after his mother, Sondos Abu Libda, noticed his left eyelid was droopy. The World Health Organization requested his evacuation through the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza, but the crossing was shut down in May when Israeli troops took it over in an offensive, Abu Libda said.

WHO applied again, this time for Osaid to leave through the Kerem Shalom crossing into Israel, now the only route for evacuees to travel. During the long wait, the cancer spread to the child’s other eye and reached stage 4.

In November, Abu Libda was told Osaid was rejected on security grounds with no further explanation.

She was stunned, she said. “I didn’t expect that a child could get a security rejection.”

Doctors have given the boy three doses of chemotherapy. But with supplies short in Gaza, they’re struggling to get more. If they can’t, they will have to remove Osaid’s eyes or the cancer will spread to other parts of his body, Abu Libda said.

“He’s just a child. How will he live his life without seeing? How will he play? How will he see his future and how will his life turn out?” Abu Libda asked, standing outside the house where her family is sheltering in the Beni Suheil district of southern Gaza.

Nearby, little Osaid — who so far still has his sight — toddled around in the rubble of a building destroyed by Israeli forces, smiling as he played with chunks of rubble. When asked about his case, COGAT did not reply.

WHO says 14,000 patients of all ages need medical evacuation from Gaza, the territory’s Health Ministry puts the number higher, at 22,000, including 7,000 patients in extreme need who could die soon without treatment, according to Mohamed Abu Salmeya, a ministry official in charge of evacuation referrals.

Since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, 5,230 patients have been evacuated, said Margaret Harris, a WHO spokesperson.

Since May, when the Rafah crossing shut down, the rate has slowed down, with only 342 patients evacuated, she said, an average of less than two a day. Before the war, when Israeli permission was also necessary, around 100 patients a day were transferred out of Gaza, according to WHO.

More than 44,500 Palestinians have been killed and more than 105,000 wounded by Israel’s bombardment and ground offensives, launched in retaliation for Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. The casualty toll, by Gaza’s Health Ministry, does not distinguish combatants from civilians — but more than half are women and children

Gaza’s health system has been decimated, with only 17 of the territory’s original 36 hospitals functioning — and those only partially. They struggle with the waves of war wounded on top of patients with other conditions.

Carrying out specialized surgeries or treatments in Gaza is difficult or impossible, with equipment destroyed, some specialist doctors killed or arrested and medical supplies limited. Gaza’s only dedicated cancer hospital was seized by Israeli troops early in the war, heavily damaged and has been shut down.

Doctors without Borders said in August, it sought to evacuate 32 children along with their caregivers, but only six were allowed to leave. In November, it applied for eight others, including a 2-year-old with leg amputations, but Israeli authorities blocked evacuation, it said

The military official said five of the eight requests in November were approved but the caregivers trying to travel with the children were rejected on security grounds. The official said Doctors Without Borders would have to resubmit the requests with alternate escorts. The official didn’t say why the other three children weren’t approved.

The rejected caregivers were the children’s mothers and grandmothers, said Mahmood, the Doctor’s Without Borders official, who said no explanation was given for the security concern.

Children long waiting for permission face dire consequences if they don’t get treatment.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan

More News
Trump administration to withdraw most USAID workers
Trump administration to withdraw most USAID workers
World reaction to Trump’s ‘take over’ plan for Gaza
World reaction to Trump’s ‘take over’ plan for Gaza
Palestinian president to attend Victory Day parade in Moscow
Palestinian president to attend Victory Day parade in Moscow
Afghan Taliban suspend women's radio station
Afghan Taliban suspend women's radio station
Jewish population in West Bank keeps rising
Jewish population in West Bank keeps rising
‘Gaza is not for sale’: Americans take to streets
‘Gaza is not for sale’: Americans take to streets
CIA's entire staff offered buyouts to quit: WSJ report
CIA's entire staff offered buyouts to quit: WSJ report
US Postal Service stops accepting parcels from China
US Postal Service stops accepting parcels from China
Spanish ministers agree to cut working week to 37.5 hours
Spanish ministers agree to cut working week to 37.5 hours
What did US get from deals to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico?
What did US get from deals to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico?
Washington plane crash: All 67 bodies recovered from Potomac River
Washington plane crash: All 67 bodies recovered from Potomac River
No ties with Israel without creation of Palestinian state: Saudi
No ties with Israel without creation of Palestinian state: Saudi
Latest News
Central African Republic Armed Forces Chief calls on Chief of Army Staff
Central African Republic Armed Forces Chief calls on Chief of Army Staff
1 second ago | National
New political party coming as existing ones fail
New political party coming as existing ones fail
9 minutes ago | National
Reform commission proposes fewer ministries for better governance
Reform commission proposes fewer ministries for better governance
9 minutes ago | National
Trump administration to withdraw most USAID workers
Trump administration to withdraw most USAID workers
38 minutes ago | International
Ex-minister Anisul placed on 3-day remand
Ex-minister Anisul placed on 3-day remand
48 minutes ago | National
World reaction to Trump’s ‘take over’ plan for Gaza
World reaction to Trump’s ‘take over’ plan for Gaza
57 minutes ago | International
Interpol to issue red notice soon against ICT-wanted criminals: IGP Hopes
Interpol to issue red notice soon against ICT-wanted criminals: IGP Hopes
1 hour ago | National
Palestinian president to attend Victory Day parade in Moscow
Palestinian president to attend Victory Day parade in Moscow
1 hour ago | International
DoE urges city dwellers to wear face masks
DoE urges city dwellers to wear face masks
1 hour ago | City
Australia faces double injury blow before Champions Trophy
Australia faces double injury blow before Champions Trophy
1 hour ago | Sports
AL cannot join politics under its current name: Salahuddin
AL cannot join politics under its current name: Salahuddin
1 hour ago | National
Dr Zahid for taking steps to prevent foul plays in capital market
Dr Zahid for taking steps to prevent foul plays in capital market
1 hour ago | Business
Ship with 50,200 MT Argentine wheat arrives at Ctg port
Ship with 50,200 MT Argentine wheat arrives at Ctg port
1 hour ago | Business
2 reform commissions submit reports to CA
2 reform commissions submit reports to CA
2 hours ago | National
Rizwana calls for effective action against plastic pollution, clarifies government stance on single-use plastics
Rizwana calls for effective action against plastic pollution, clarifies government stance on single-use plastics
2 hours ago | National
Efforts underway to nab fugitive killers abroad: Home Adviser
Efforts underway to nab fugitive killers abroad: Home Adviser
2 hours ago | National
Electricity sector faces pressure due to arrears payments
Electricity sector faces pressure due to arrears payments
2 hours ago | Special
Nepal bans solo climbs on Everest, mountains above 8000m
Nepal bans solo climbs on Everest, mountains above 8000m
2 hours ago | Lifestyle
Handling issues in morning boosts mental health
Handling issues in morning boosts mental health
3 hours ago | Lifestyle
Toyota to launch EV, battery unit in China by 2027
Toyota to launch EV, battery unit in China by 2027
3 hours ago | Tech
Afghan Taliban suspend women's radio station
Afghan Taliban suspend women's radio station
3 hours ago | International
Elon Musk's claims of harm from OpenAI are a 'stretch'
Elon Musk's claims of harm from OpenAI are a 'stretch'
3 hours ago | Tech
Nissan calls off Honda merger talks, Nikkei says
Nissan calls off Honda merger talks, Nikkei says
3 hours ago | Tech
Petrol pumps in Northern region shut down indefinitely in protest of eviction
Petrol pumps in Northern region shut down indefinitely in protest of eviction
3 hours ago | National
JU decides to abolish ward quota in admission test
JU decides to abolish ward quota in admission test
3 hours ago | National
Gazipur road crash kills three
Gazipur road crash kills three
3 hours ago | National
Jewish population in West Bank keeps rising
Jewish population in West Bank keeps rising
3 hours ago | International
Hashan Tillakaratne quits as women’s team head coach
Hashan Tillakaratne quits as women’s team head coach
3 hours ago | Sports
Hasina assassination attempt case: All accused acquitted
Hasina assassination attempt case: All accused acquitted
4 hours ago | National
Ban on under-16s using social media is smart thing
Ban on under-16s using social media is smart thing
4 hours ago | Tech
Most Read
Awami League ruined country's interests to stay in power: Ishraque
Awami League ruined country's interests to stay in power: Ishraque
18 hours ago | National
JCD to observe ‘March for Justice’ for trial of BCL
JCD to observe ‘March for Justice’ for trial of BCL
22 hours ago | National
Elon Musk's claims of harm from OpenAI are a 'stretch'
Elon Musk's claims of harm from OpenAI are a 'stretch'
3 hours ago | Tech
Dhaka to roll out counter-based pink buses Thursday
Dhaka to roll out counter-based pink buses Thursday
6 hours ago | City
Second phase of Bishwa Ijtema concluded with Akheri Munajat
Second phase of Bishwa Ijtema concluded with Akheri Munajat
5 hours ago | National
Vertical Mastercard credit card launched for ICMAB members
Vertical Mastercard credit card launched for ICMAB members
19 hours ago | Corporate Corner
2C climate target declared impossible: Study
2C climate target declared impossible: Study
8 hours ago | International
Nepal bans solo climbs on Everest, mountains above 8000m
Nepal bans solo climbs on Everest, mountains above 8000m
2 hours ago | Lifestyle
Another day of ferry suspension on Manikganj routes
Another day of ferry suspension on Manikganj routes
7 hours ago | National
Food inflation slips to 10.72% in Jan
Food inflation slips to 10.72% in Jan
19 hours ago | Business
Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs to lead UK trade mission
Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs to lead UK trade mission
8 hours ago | Business
Dhaka tops worst air quality list globally
Dhaka tops worst air quality list globally
7 hours ago | City
'11yr old girl' missing from Dhaka found in Naogaon
'11yr old girl' missing from Dhaka found in Naogaon
21 hours ago | City
Ex-BSEC Chairman Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam arrested
Ex-BSEC Chairman Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam arrested
8 hours ago | National
Sabina Yasmin returns home
Sabina Yasmin returns home
7 hours ago | Entertainment
EC to use software for smart NID card distribution
EC to use software for smart NID card distribution
6 hours ago | National
Smartphone vision syndrome: Preventing and treating eye discomfort
Smartphone vision syndrome: Preventing and treating eye discomfort
6 hours ago | Lifestyle
Full reports of 6 reform commissions to be published on Feb 8: Asif Nazrul
Full reports of 6 reform commissions to be published on Feb 8: Asif Nazrul
20 hours ago | National
Young voters are the game changer
Young voters are the game changer
6 hours ago | Special
Electricity sector faces pressure due to arrears payments
Electricity sector faces pressure due to arrears payments
2 hours ago | Special
No ties with Israel without creation of Palestinian state: Saudi
No ties with Israel without creation of Palestinian state: Saudi
7 hours ago | International
‘Gaza is not for sale’: Americans take to streets
‘Gaza is not for sale’: Americans take to streets
4 hours ago | International
Work underway to convert public library books into e-books: Farooki
Work underway to convert public library books into e-books: Farooki
21 hours ago | National
Target billions of dollars
Target billions of dollars
6 hours ago | Business
Abul Hayat, Dilara Zaman, Emon and Shokh in a TVC
Abul Hayat, Dilara Zaman, Emon and Shokh in a TVC
5 hours ago | Entertainment
Asif Nazrul shares good news from his Saudi Arabia visit
Asif Nazrul shares good news from his Saudi Arabia visit
21 hours ago | National
Five people shot in Sweden’s school
Five people shot in Sweden’s school
20 hours ago | International
Real Madrid's woes on defence compounded by new Alaba injury
Real Madrid's woes on defence compounded by new Alaba injury
20 hours ago | Sports
Chittagong, Khulna vie for BPL final tomorrow
Chittagong, Khulna vie for BPL final tomorrow
21 hours ago | Sports
Bangladesh keen to enhance trade, economic relations with Algeria
Bangladesh keen to enhance trade, economic relations with Algeria
8 hours ago | National