Palestinian girl with down syndrome faces death due to medicine shortage in Gaza Strip

Menna Allah Shawa, a 7-year-old Palestinian girl with Down Syndrome, is facing life-threatening complications due to the loss of her medical treatment. This situation is a result of the Israeli war and the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip for more than 50 days.

"The war has had lasting psychological effects on Menna, leading to a significant fear of missile sounds or explosions.

According to her mother, Rasha, Menna expresses this fear through involuntary actions, such as biting her nails and pulling her hair.

Rasha told Anadolu that every day, even during sleep, her child is at risk of losing her life due to the lack of necessary medication. The 'nebulizer' device is also unavailable, which helps open the airway.

She added that she has to wake up her daughter repeatedly every night to assist her with breathing.

"Skin ulcerations have started to appear on daughter's body due to the lack of medications and vitamins," she added.

"My daughter suffers from chronic skin ulcerations. The lack of necessary medication has led to cracks in her mouth and the spread of ulcers in sensitive areas, exacerbating her suffering," Rasha said.

Rasha also pointed out that her daughter is suffering from scalp psoriasis, leading to extensive hair loss due to the absence of proper treatment.
With the deterioration of her health condition, the child now requires special care beyond what she used to receive during times of peace.

Unfortunately, the war, which has devastated the essentials of life, leaves Menna's mother unable to do anything for her daughter.

HEALTH COMPLICATIONS

Menna's mother fears the deterioration of her daughter's health, potentially leading to her loss of life.

The lack of vitamins the child used to receive before the war has led to the falling out of her 'milk teeth,' which, according to Rasha, fell into her daughter's throat and were accidentally swallowed while she was sleeping.

Rasha pointed out that the recurrence of such incidents could harm the child or pose a choking hazard.

The mother explained that the lack of financial resources due to the war prevented her from purchasing the necessary medications and medical supplies.

She mentioned that the medications provided by the clinics still operating are limited to painkillers, fever reducers, and cough medicine.

The shortage of food items, especially those with a sweet taste, affects Menna's health, leading to sudden drops in blood sugar.

"We searched in several stores for sweet-tasting foods, but we couldn't find any," Rasha said.

Menna used to receive care from several organizations dedicated to people with disabilities before the war. However, due to the war, it has become challenging for the child to reach these institutions and access the proper care she needs.

WAR EFFECTS

Since the outbreak of the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, Menna began exhibiting psychological symptoms due to her fear of the sounds of explosions.

"The reactions due to fear are more pronounced in children with Down syndrome because their emotions are heightened compared to non-affected children," Rasha said.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by Hamas.

It has since killed at least 14,854 Palestinians, including 6,150 children and more than 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave. The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.