Meningitis cases among children are rising in the Gaza Strip, with doctors warning that shortages of medicines and medical supplies are making treatment increasingly difficult.
Footage filmed at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis on Thursday shows children receiving treatment as hospitals struggle with limited resources.
Doctor Hanan Abu Taha said the hospital receives between three and five cases a day, calling for urgent medical support.
“Addressing these cases requires urgent intervention, particularly in meningitis cases,” she explained. “This includes providing medical resources and the necessary medicines, strengthening health awareness, training medical and nursing staff, and supporting laboratories so they can diagnose and manage these cases.”
Fatima Abu Alwan, whose son fell seriously ill, described her struggle to reach the hospital as his condition deteriorated.
“They told us that a virus was spreading in the air and informed us that my son’s condition was very serious,” she said.
“They advised me to take him to Nasser Medical Complex. I faced great difficulties while transporting him. His condition was critical and required urgent hospital care, but the lack of transport delayed us considerably, until his health deteriorated,” she continued.
Another mother, Islam Tabas, said shortages of medication had left her daughter in hospital for ten days without the treatment she needed.
“If the medication were available, I could have given it to my daughter and we would have left the hospital shortly afterwards. But I have now spent ten days in hospital without receiving the medicine,” she said.
Doctors say infections have continued beyond the summer months, when meningitis cases typically peak locally.
According to reports published in late October, four children died from bacterial meningitis at Nasser Medical Complex, where doctors recorded 15 cases over a short period.
Medical professionals have warned that overcrowded shelters, poor sanitation and malnutrition are increasing the risks to children, while shortages of essential medicines complicate treatment.
Source: Viory
