Arabic version: يعاني أطفال غزة من انتشار الأمراض الجلدية وسوء التغذية

In Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, six-year-old Yasser Arafat is battling severe skin issues and malnutrition, reflecting a broader health crisis affecting children in the region. According to Al Jazeera, Yasser’s mother, Iman Abu Jame, describes her son’s condition as a consequence of ongoing humanitarian struggles, worsened by a lack of food and healthcare.

Living in a cramped tent in al-Mawasi, Iman highlights the catastrophic conditions faced by displaced families, including unsanitary water and overcrowded shelters. The family has been unable to afford basic meals, leading to Yasser’s malnutrition, which has made him more vulnerable to infections. Doctors have yet to determine the cause of his rashes, which are becoming increasingly common in Gaza’s hospitals.

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) reports a troubling rise in skin diseases, particularly among children. In 2026, more than 17,000 ectoparasitic infections were documented, with a significant proportion affecting young children. In April alone, MAP screened 7,017 individuals, diagnosing 1,325 with skin diseases, of which over 62 percent were children.

Dr. Rana Abu Jalal from the Solidarity Polyclinic notes a sharp increase in conditions like scabies, exacerbated by poor living conditions. The healthcare system is collapsing under the weight of war and displacement, severely limiting access to necessary medical supplies. Dr. Alaa Ouda, working in a MAP-supported clinic, reports treating 70 to 80 patients daily for skin infections, with a notable absence of critical medications like permethrin for scabies.

With families unable to seek treatment due to the unavailability of medicines, many have lost hope. Mohammed Fathi, a community health worker, emphasizes that the root causes of these health crises remain unaddressed, leaving children like Yasser at risk of further suffering.