Doctor describes challenges of treating acute malnutrition patients in Gaza

Ahmed Alfarra, the director of paediatrics and the maternity department at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital in Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis, says the facility receives malnutrition cases every day.
“Severe acute malnutrition is one of the most difficult and challenging conditions for doctors to treat. It is not easy – it is unlike pneumonia, meningitis, or acute pharyngotonsillitis,” he told Al Jazeera. “Most paediatric diseases require seven to 10 days of treatment before the patient can be discharged.”
In contrast, Alfarra said those with severe acute malnutrition may need to be hospitalised for one, two, or even three months, together with long-term follow-up.
If left untreated, Alfarra said malnutrition in children could lead to “permanent” changes. “That means, even if food becomes available for this patient, they may not fully recover,” he said.
“For example, if they have an issue affecting their growth hormone – such as a growth hormone deficiency – they may experience short stature in the future. Even with food being available, they may never reach their potential height.”

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