WHO says malnutrition reaching 'alarming levels' in Gaza
GENEVA: Malnutrition rates are reaching "alarming levels" in the Gaza Strip, the
World Health Organization
warned Sunday, saying the "deliberate blocking" of aid was entirely preventable and had cost many lives.
"Malnutrition is on a dangerous trajectory in the Gaza Strip, marked by a spike in deaths in July," the WHO said in a statement.
Of the 74 recorded malnutrition-related deaths in 2025, 63 had occurred in July -- including 24 children under five, one child aged over five, and 38 adults, it added.
"Most of these people were declared dead on arrival at health facilities or died shortly after, their bodies showing clear signs of severe wasting," the UN health agency said.
"The crisis remains entirely preventable. Deliberate blocking and delay of large-scale food, health, and humanitarian aid has cost many lives."
Nearly one in five children under five in Gaza City is now acutely malnourished, the WHO said, citing its Nutrition Cluster partners.
It said the percentage of children aged six to 59 months suffering from acute malnutrition had tripled in the city since June, making it the worst-hit area in the Palestinian territory.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
In Khan Yunis and middle Gaza, those rates have doubled in less than a month, it added.
"These figures are likely an underestimation due to the severe access and security constraints preventing many families from reaching health facilities," the WHO said.
Israel on Sunday began a limited "tactical pause" in military operations to allow the UN and aid agencies to tackle a deepening hunger crisis.
But the WHO called for sustained efforts to "flood" the Gaza Strip with diverse, nutritious food, and for the expedited delivery of therapeutic supplies for children and vulnerable groups, plus essential medicines and supplies.
"This flow must remain consistent and unhindered to support recovery and prevent further deterioration", the Geneva-based agency said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
27 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Tezpur University team develops low-cost device to detect tuberculosis
GUWAHATI A team of researchers from central Assam's Tezpur University has developed an affordable and portable device to detect tuberculosis (TB). The researchers said the device, using the autofluorescence or natural glow of the TB bacteria for detection instead of any chemical or dye, has been specially designed for use in rural and remote areas where advanced medical facilities are not easily available. Pabitra Nath of the university's Department of Physics and the team leader, said the device has a built-in heating system to improve test accuracy and can be operated using a smartphone. 'It costs under ₹25,000 and weighs less than 300 grams, making it a perfect fit for places with limited healthcare infrastructure,' he said. The other members of the team are Biprav Chetry and Chunuranjan Dutta, research scholars from Tezpur University's Department of Physics; J.P. Saikia and Santanu Goswami from the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; and Abhijit Gogoi from Labdig Innovations and Systems Private Limited. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial in stopping the spread of TB, a major public health issue in India. The World Health Organization (WHO) and India's National TB Elimination Programme currently recommend LED fluorescence microscopy as the gold standard for TB screening. However, the standard testing method recommended by the WHO needs expensive machines and trained technicians, which are not available in many rural areas. The new device can solve this problem by making TB testing simpler and more accessible, the researchers said. 'While LED-FM offers higher sensitivity than conventional optical microscopy, it has several drawbacks. It depends on costly equipment, chemical staining agents like auramine-O, and trained personnel for sample preparation and interpretation. Furthermore, its reliance on laboratory infrastructure makes it impractical in many rural settings,' Professor Nath said. The device developed by the Tezpur University researchers leverages the principle of autofluorescence, a natural property of certain microbial cells, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis (mTB) cells, that emit a fluorescence signal when excited by a specific wavelength of light. 'The team's key innovation lies in the integration of a heating element within the sensor system. By raising the temperature of the bacterial sample, the system enhances the natural fluorescence signal from mTB cells, enabling trace-level detection without the use of stains or dyes,' Prof. Nath explained. The team has filed a patent for the device, and their study was published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics, an international journal.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
How to put an end to Hepatitis B
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated August 4, 2025)Every 30 seconds, globally, someone dies from hepatitis-related liver infections—amounting to 1.3 million deaths annually as per WHO 2024 estimates. The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) alone contributes to nearly 900,000 of these deaths, mostly due to cirrhosis and liver cancer. That's more than malaria, and approaching tuberculosis levels. The virus is carried by an estimated 29 million Indians—the second-highest number globally. And yet, despite having a protective vaccine and effective antivirals for over three decades, we have failed to eliminate it. Why?advertisementThe painful truth: doctors have failed to engage society. We treated HBV as a medical issue, not a societal one like COVID-19, HIV or tuberculosis. For most people, the infection lasts less than six months. For others, it can get chronic and seriously damage the liver. Shockingly, less than 10 per cent of infected individuals are diagnosed; stigma around sexual transmission of the virus has led to under 5 per cent receiving treatment. This ignorance is far from bliss. The HBV can spread through blood, semen, saliva and other bodily fluids, as well as maternally. But the infected are not at the real case of 67-year-old Dr D. Basu (name changed) from Hubli. A CT scan for mild abdominal discomfort revealed a 5 cm liver cancer. He had tested HBV-positive 35 years ago, but never followed up or took treatment. He even hid the diagnosis from his family. When we treated his cancer, his brother and 37-year-old daughter Kalyani also tested positive, likely due to maternal transmission and later sexual or vertical transmission. This tragic case underlines some key precautions to follow. Periodic monitoring in the HBV-infected is a must—one in 10 of those infected develop cirrhosis or cancer. Patients undergo repeated testing but get no treatment as current guidelines are restrictive, excluding nearly 60 per cent from treatment. Patients live with anxiety, fear and stigma. We must move from treating a select few to treating all HBV-positives. One pill, like tenofovir, taken daily can suppress the virus lifelong, halt transmission and prevent Dr Basu's daughter, could have been protected with a birth dose. She was not given HBV vaccination at birth. India's birth-dose coverage is just 63 per cent. Despite being one of the cheapest vaccines and India being a major vaccine producer, the HBV vaccine is scarcely available in private markets here and public awareness is dismal. Only 4.4 per cent of Delhi's adults are fully vaccinated. Are you? Sadly, nearly one-third of health professionals aren't either. Every Indian child and adult should know: the HBV vaccine is safe, effective and for taught us the power of self-testing. All close contacts of the HBV-infected must be screened. Enact anti-discrimination laws in education, workplaces and healthcare. We need HBV kits to enable one-stop testing and treatment. At least 80 per cent of diagnosed patients must be linked to free, accessible treatment. Integrating HBV services with programmes for prenatal care, non-communicable diseases, HIV and tuberculosis is essential. We must integrate hepatitis testing into routine healthcare check-ups and general population-based screening. Pregnant women should be screened for both HBV and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)—the latter spreads only through blood contact and affects 5.5 million launched the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) on July 28, 2018—one of the world's largest campaigns aiming to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. It offers free diagnosis and treatment for HBV and HCV. While impressive work on screening has been done, the treatment uptake remains low. We need a massive awareness drive and a movement for public around 3,500 global hepatitis deaths daily—11 per cent from India—the crisis demands urgency. Every avoidable death is a call to act. Each preventable infection highlights our collective failure, and an opportunity to act. We need a society-wide approach, powered by political will, scientific leadership and strong community engagement. Let us break it down. No shame. No blame. Just a cure.—The author is Professor of Eminence, Chancellor, ILBS UniversitySubscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsTrending Reel
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla briefs PM Narendra Modi on monsoon disaster, ‘Drug Free Himachal' campaign
Shimla: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and apprised him of various developmental initiatives being taken up in Himachal Pradesh, the impact of recent natural disasters on the state, and the progress of the 'Drug-Free Himachal' campaign. Shukla informed the Prime Minister about the massive damage caused by cloudbursts and landslides in Mandi district during the ongoing monsoon season and highlighted the tragic loss of lives and property. He also noted that many families lost their homes and agricultural land due to these calamities. The PM assured the governor of all the possible assistance to the affected areas to ensure relief and rehabilitation. The PM was also briefed about the state-wide anti-drug campaign, which is being implemented down to the panchayat level. The governor said significant steps were taken to create awareness against substance abuse and to encourage community participation in the effort to make Himachal Pradesh a drug-free state. The governor also shared details of the recently held three-day national conference on 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now The event was organised by the Union ministry of youth affairs and sports in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Shukla said the event would play a pivotal role in building a drug-free society by the year 2047. The 'Kashi Declaration' adopted at the conference emphasises addressing substance abuse through a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach, viewing it not only as a criminal or legal issue but as a critical challenge to public health and social well-being, he said. MSID:: 122974436 413 |
