From June to October 2024, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) treated over 10,000 children under five for upper respiratory tract infections at Nasser Hospital in Gaza, amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises.

During this period, the hospital also admitted 168 newborns under one month and over 10,800 children aged one to five for similar infections, alongside nearly 1,300 cases of lower respiratory tract infections and 459 pneumonia cases.

Dr. Mohammad Abu Tayyem, an MSF pediatrician, reported a significant rise in infectious diseases among children, including acute pneumonia, largely due to dire living conditions and overcrowded hospitals.

As winter approaches, families are living in crowded tents without adequate sanitation or hygiene products, which increases the risk of respiratory infections and malnutrition among children.

Dr. Abu Tayyem emphasized that the lack of nutritious food and essential nutrients has severely impacted children's health and immunity, making them more vulnerable to diseases.

Due to rising prices and reduced aid, families are struggling to afford nutritious food, exacerbating the health crisis among infants and children in Gaza.

Yasmin, a mother in the hospital, described the dire conditions for her son, highlighting the lack of basic necessities like diapers and proper clothing, which further increases health risks.

The war has severely damaged Gaza's healthcare system; as of mid-November 2024, only 17 of 36 hospitals remain partially functional, forcing mothers to undertake unsafe journeys to access care.

Mothers often face long, dangerous travels to hospitals, frequently in unsanitary conditions, which compromises the health of their children after treatment.

The ongoing crisis has also led to malnutrition among mothers, increasing the risk of premature births and postpartum complications, alongside acute shortages of medical supplies in health facilities.

While MSF continues to support the pediatric department at Nasser Hospital, the overwhelming needs in Gaza highlight the necessity for a permanent ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid access.