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.