KUALA LUMPUR: The escalating health crisis in Palestine is expected to deteriorate further as the Israel-Palestine ceasefire agreement expires and hostilities resume.
The death toll in Palestine has surpassed 15,000 ever since the conflict began on Oct 7.
The residents in Gaza for instance, have not only endured relentless bombardment but are grappling with a multitude of diseases stemming from the scarcity of clean water and essential medication.
The World Health Organisation said diseases could be a bigger killer than bombs in Gaza if its health system is not repaired.
The New Straits Times spoke to health experts for views on the ongoing health crisis in Gaza and what global organisations can do to address the urgent health needs of its people.
RISING DISEASE AND HEALTH CONCERN
Amid the unprecedented scale of bombings on healthcare facilities, hospitals in Gaza are shutting down as they run out of water and generator fuel.
Israel is blocking fuel supplies from entering Gaza, as they claim that Hamas may use it for military purposes.
Monash University molecular virologist Associate Professor Dr Vinod Balasubramaniam said over the course of time, war or conflicts and infectious diseases have proven to be a deadly combination, contributing significantly to human suffering and death.
"Infectious diseases ruthlessly exploit the conditions created by war, indiscriminately affecting all. Mass migration, overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of shelter and limited access to clean water and nutrition make infections more prevalent.
"Airstrikes have battered Gaza's water and sanitation systems and crushed the healthcare sector. Health facilities are facing a surge in trauma patients when intensive care and neonatal units stop working. This is an absolute recipe for disaster," said Dr Vinod.
Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA) chief executive officer Dr Shahrizal Azwan Samsudin highlighted five major concerns: respiratory, water and vector-borne diseases as well as malnutrition and heightened risks from poor living conditions.
He said respiratory diseases are among the most prevalent in conflict areas.
"Measles, diphtheria, and pertussis usually happen, especially among children, because of poor vaccine coverage. Children cannot receive their jab when the war comes, making them much more vulnerable."
He said cited an example of when the measles pread among children in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh, which has too many temporary settlements for Rohingya refugees for many years now.
He said in the case Palestine, the wanton destruction of facilities will exacerbate the rise of water-borne diseases.
"When they are drinking polluted water, water-borne diseases like cholera, salmonella, and typhoid could be easily spread, which could result in death," said Dr Shahrizal.
He emphasised the ongoing risk of widespread vector-borne diseases as the bodies of Palestinians killed during bombardment remain under the rubble of buildings. He said this will attract rats to these decomposed bodies.
He underscored a potential for malaria to spread in the conflict area.
He said inadequate nutrition and hunger, which is significantly impacting children, could lead to an increase in the death toll.
Both doctors also expressed concern about the cramped living conditions in makeshift tents, where displaced Gazans sought shelter, which may lead to the emergence of skin diseases like scabies and lice.
WINTER IS COMING
Local Israeli media have quoted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying hat the war would only end upon the total defeat of Hamas.
Palestine's health ministry said 29 people were killed on Friday in the initial hours after a truce between Israel and Palestine ended.
As winter draws near, there is growing concern that living conditions for Palestinians will deteriorate rapidly.
Experts said that without housing, electricity, proper food, clothes, blankets or heaters, it would dramatically heighten the risk of Palestinians dying due to hypothermia.
"The cold will create favourable conditions for viruses. With higher virus stability and weakened immune response, the people there are more susceptible to infections and diseases that will spead much more quickly.
"It is a ticking time bomb where there will be more casualties from the bombings itself," said Dr Vinod.
PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITIES AND CALL FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF
Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM) chairman Datuk Dr Musa Mohd Nordin called for concerted efforts to restore healthcare facilities in Gaza to a "near normal" level.
"A permanent ceasefire is needed to empower decent rehabilitation of the healthcare infrastructure," he told the New Straits Times.
Highlighting the fatigue of healthcare workers in Gaza, Dr Musa stressed the essential need for healthcare professionals and a constant supply of medicines, critical care monitors and surgical devices and euipment.
"The guarantee of access to clean water and fuel is imperative. Fuel is vital for water desalination plants, heating systems, ambulances for patient transportation and hospital power generators.
"Access to food is essential to avoid starvation and malnutrition, which can further compromise one's ability to defend against infections.
"Targeted vaccination programmes are also necessary to curb the spread or resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases like polio, tuberculosis and pertussis," he said.
Mercy Malaysia communication cfficer Khadeejah Shafie, who said agreed that restoring fuel and water in Gaza is crucial for addressing the health crisis.
"Sanitation stands out as a primary concern in the region, where access to water is essential for basic hygiene and sanitation needs.
"By prioritising these fundamental aspects, we can contribute significantly to improving living conditions and addressing critical issues in Gaza."
She emphasised the need for continuous advocacy to call for the war to stop.
"The international community plays a pivotal role in pressuring their leaders, governments, and spokespersons to work towards ending the war.
"By mobilising global efforts to address these issues, we can create a more stable and sustainable environment for those affected by the war," she said.