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Observer
9 hours ago
- Health
- Observer
A mother's loss and Gaza's cry for justice
In Gaza, pain has become part of daily life. The world sees numbers, but behind each number is a person, a story, a dream that was destroyed. One of the most painful stories is that of Dr Alaa al Najjar, a paediatrician from Khan Yunis. While she was working in Nasser Medical Complex, treating injured children, her own house was bombed by Israeli warplanes. Nine of her ten children were killed. Only her son Adam, 11-years-old, survived but is now in intensive care. Her sister Sahar told her the terrible news. 'The children are gone, Alaa,' she said. Alaa answered with calm faith, 'They are alive, being provided for by their Lord.' It was a short reply, but full of patience and deep pain. It shows how mothers in Gaza continue to carry heavy suffering with great strength. The names of her children — Yahya, Rakan, Ruslan, Jubran, Eve, Revan, Saydeen, Luqman and Sidra — are now names of martyrs. The oldest was just 12, the youngest only six months old. They used to recite the Quran, play and laugh at home. But the bombs turned them into bodies burned and broken, impossible to recognise. Sahar said her sister was trying to save other children's lives when she received the news. She ran into the street to reach her home and see her children for the last time, but what she found was heartbreaking. 'We could not know who was who. All of them were in pieces. All of them were burned,' she said. Dr Alaa's family says they have no connection to Hamas. 'What happened to us is something no one can imagine,' Sahar said. 'Our family works in the medical field. Most of us are doctors or nurses. There was no reason for this attack.' The Israeli army later said it had targeted 'a number of suspects' in Khan Yunis, and that the civilian deaths were 'under review'. This kind of statement is made after every attack, but it does not change the fact that many civilians, especially children, are being killed. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, more than 16,500 children have been killed since October 7, 2023. Among them were 916 babies under one year old and 311 newborns who died in the war. These are not just numbers. These are children who had a right to live. The statistics show that 4,365 of the children were aged between one and five years old, 6,101 were between six and twelve, and 5,124 were teenagers between 13 and 17. These numbers show the scale of the disaster and the kind of future that is being destroyed in Gaza. In total, more than 49,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began. These include over 16,500 children, 12,400 women, 3,853 elderly people, 1,168 health workers, 293 journalists and 719 teachers, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Dr Alaa's story is not the only one. In May 2025, Anadolu Agency reported the case of five-year-old Arkan Assaf, who was badly injured in an Israeli attack that killed his parents, brother and many relatives. He now lives alone, injured and orphaned. There is also the story of five-year-old Hind Rajab, shared by Al Jazeera. She was the only one to survive a bombing on her family's car in January 2024. She called the Red Crescent for three hours, asking for help: 'I am very scared. Please come. Please send someone to rescue me.' Her body was found twelve days later, next to her family and the medics who tried to save her. On May 8, 2025, the Government Media Office in Gaza said that the Israeli army had destroyed about 2,200 families completely, removing 6,350 names from the population registry. More than 5,120 families were left with only one survivor. In the middle of all this pain, Dr Alaa al Najjar stands as a symbol of courage and sacrifice. Even after losing nine children, she returned to the hospital to help other people's children. Her actions show what it means to be strong, to continue giving in the darkest times. Dr Yousef Abu al Rish, a senior health official, said that Dr Alaa had left her children at home to do her duty towards sick children at the hospital. When he saw her, she was calm and quiet, whispering prayers with her eyes full of acceptance and patience. The story of Dr Alaa al Najjar is more than just a sad story. It is a message to the world. The killing of children in Gaza must stop. The world must act, not only with words but with serious steps. These children were not numbers. They were dreams, lives and hopes. Their deaths show us how far we have failed in protecting human values. Badr al Dhafari The writer works for Oman Daily Observer
Saba Yemen
11 hours ago
- Health
- Saba Yemen
Israeli Genocide Death Toll Rises to 54,084
Gaza - Saba: The death toll from the genocidal crime committed by the Israeli enemy in the Gaza Strip rose on Wednesday to 54,084, with 132,308 injuries since October 7, 2023. The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip stated, in a daily statistical report on the number of martyrs and wounded as a result of the Israeli aggression, that 28 martyrs (including 5 recovered martyrs) and 179 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals over the past 24 hours. The statistics do not include hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip due to the difficulty of accessing them. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
CairoScene
11 hours ago
- Health
- CairoScene
Ministry of Health Launches World Health Survey 2025
The nationwide data-gathering initiative will help to define the Kingdom's health priorities and services. The Ministry of Health has begun field visits as part of the World Health Survey 2025, a nationwide effort to collect data that will inform the development and improvement of health services across the country. Using the World Health Survey Plus (WHS+) methodology, the survey targets a nationally representative sample of both citizens and residents. Participants will complete detailed questionnaires covering personal and family demographics, health status, behaviors, risk factors, and experiences with the healthcare system. The survey will reach over 14,000 individuals and families across all 13 administrative regions in the Kingdom. Its findings will help strengthen Saudi Arabia's health information systems, define national health priorities, and provide a comprehensive overview of the population's well-being. Additionally, the data will support early detection of chronic diseases, help track progress toward Sustainable Development Goals, promote healthier lifestyles, and ensure that healthcare services are better aligned with the community's evolving needs.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
COVID-19 surges in East and Southeast Asia
[Source] COVID-19 cases are climbing across East and Southeast Asia, with notable increases in Thailand, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Health authorities attribute the rise to new Omicron subvariants and waning immunity. Thailand and China report sharp increases Thailand reported 33,030 new cases in the week ending May 17, more than doubling the 16,000 recorded the week before. Most infections were concentrated in Bangkok and nearby provinces. Health officials are urging high-risk groups to receive booster vaccinations and are monitoring hospital capacity. In China, COVID-19 positivity rates rose from 7.5% to 16.2% between March 30 and May 10 — the highest in a year. Trending on NextShark: Singapore and Hong Kong signal renewed wave Singapore recorded approximately 14,200 new COVID-19 cases in the week ending May 3, marking a 28% increase from the previous period. Hospitalizations rose by about 30%. In response, the Ministry of Health resumed weekly updates after nearly a year. In Hong Kong, the infection rate rose from 1.7% in mid-March to 11.4%, surpassing the August 2024 peak, according to the Centre for Health Protection. The city recorded 81 serious adult cases and 30 deaths over the past four weeks. Trending on NextShark: New subvariants behind surge The current wave across the region is attributed to Omicron subvariants LF.7 and NB.1.8, both from the JN.1 lineage. These variants exhibit higher transmissibility and may partially evade prior immunity. Common symptoms include sore throat, mild cough, fatigue and fever. Regional responses and precautions Trending on NextShark: In the Philippines, the Department of Health reported 1,774 COVID-19 cases as of May 3, down 87% from the same time last year. Weekly case numbers have slightly declined in recent weeks. Officials urge continued mask use in healthcare settings and early consultation for symptoms. Vietnam has confirmed 148 cases across 27 provinces and cities since early 2025, with no fatalities. The health ministry has directed hospitals to update response plans and enforce infection control protocols. India has expanded testing and surveillance amid rising regional cases. As of May 19, it reported 257 active cases nationwide with no significant rise in hospitalizations. Trending on NextShark: Health authorities across the region continue to promote preventive measures, including mask-wearing in crowded areas, hand hygiene and up-to-date vaccinations. This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Local France
16 hours ago
- Health
- Local France
‘Angry' French taxi drivers plan to continue protests
Taxi drivers have mobilised for a week against an agreement that changes their pay for transporting patients to and from hospitals, which represents a significant part of their income for some of them, particularly in rural areas. The new pricing structure, due to come into force on October 1st, provides for a €13 charge to be covered by health insurance, followed by a kilometre rate. The government's aim is to limit the growth of healthcare transport costs. On Tuesday, meetings at the Ministry of Transport and at the Ministry of Health, broke up with no solutions in sight. Increased checks have been promised to limit the number of unlicenced drivers and the 'hailing' of private hire vehicles such as Uber (known as VTCs, or Voitures de Transport avec Chauffeur , in France), and technical meetings are planned, but union representatives denounced the lack of 'significant progress.' Advertisement In Paris, the rallying point on Boulevard Raspail, where taxi drivers have been staging nightly protests for nine days, punctuated by firecrackers and smoke bombs, was 'partly empty last night,' according to Emmanuelle Cordier, president of the National Taxi Federation, but gatherings could pick up again from Wednesday. 'Most members have decided to continue the movement. They are very angry.' However, Cordier warned that future action will be 'more sporadic and less organised by the federations.' In Pau, where Prime Minister François Bayrou is MP, around 200 taxis took part in a go-slow operation on Tuesday afternoon, taxis from several departments are expected to arrive, and farmers' union Coordination rurale has said it would to join the protest, Ms. Cordier said. No action was planned on Wednesday around Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, in Parisian train stations, or around the Roland-Garros stadium, where the French Open tennis tournament is currently taking place. Find the latest info on strike and protest-related disruption in our strike section HERE
