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Maha gave birth in a public bathroom. Her story is not unique in Gaza. [1]

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Date: 2024-07

Giving birth in tents and public buildings

Maha’s story is not unique: Displaced women living in deplorable conditions are giving birth in plastic tents and public buildings due to the lack of fuel and capacity in health facilities throughout Gaza. Those who manage to deliver in a hospital often return to their makeshift shelters mere hours after undergoing a Cesarean section. Many have not received care since the start of the war.

“Without enough supplies and too many patients, the health care system is overstretched, and mothers are forced to be discharged just hours after giving birth,” explains MSF midwife activity manager Rita Botelho da Costa. “The first 24 hours postpartum are the riskiest for complications, and with people living in dire conditions, it's important to keep the patient in the hospital as long as possible.”

To reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality among mothers and newborns, MSF is supporting postpartum care at the Emirati Hospital by more than doubling its bed capacity, which now has 20 beds, allowing more patients to receive proper monitoring post-delivery.

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[1] Url: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/maha-gave-birth-public-bathroom-her-story-not-unique-gaza

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