Gaza’s Ministry of Health on Saturday warned that the lives of dozens of premature babies are in real danger after hospitals have run out of a much-needed drug for their case.
Spokesman for the Ministry Ashraf al-Qedra told Quds Press that the lack of Calfatant drug which is essential for the growth of preterm infants’ respiratory system has raised the number of deaths among Gaza babies to five since the beginning of 2018.
Al-Qedra said that 113 newborn babies in Gaza’s hospitals are facing the risk of death due to the depletion of 45% of live-saving drugs and the deterioration of power crisis.
Naser Bolbol the head of the neonatal intensive care department at al-Shifa Hospital told Quds Press that the four-day-old Karam Abu Awwad was the latest victim of the absence of Calfatant drug which provides the respiratory system with the needed amount of oxygen.
In the past few days 20 backup generators stopped working in several health facilities in Gaza due to the acute fuel shortage in the besieged area. Three hospitals in addition to other health facilities have been shut down.
