Gaza health official: Electricity cuts threaten lives of 120 newborn babies

Consultant pediatrician and Chairman of the Gaza Neonatal Network (GNN) Dr Nabil Al-Baraqoun warned on Wednesday that the frequent electricity outages threaten the lives of 120 newborn babies currently being taken care of in intensive care incubators in Gazan hospitals.

Dr Al-Baraqoun explained that the 135 neonatal incubators are all powered by electricity, noting that the frequent power cuts and the use of alternative energy sources cause damage to medical devices such as incubators, resuscitation equipment and ventilators, which could cause complications for the infants, and even deaths.

He clarified that the alternation in using alternative energy sources like power generators and solar energy do not provide adequate energy to the incubators.

Gaza’s sole power plant shut down on Monday as the fuel needed to operate it ran out as a result of the Zionist regime’s occupation’s closure of Karem Abu Salem crossing, the only commercial border crossing between Israel and Gaza located to the southeast of Rafah, according to sources.