UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has expressed concern over the impact of the ongoing Gaza conflict on women’s health and access to safe births, Xinhuan news agency reported.

“Reports of destruction of hospitals and health facilities are disturbing as some 45,000 pregnant women in Gaza are currently in need of maternity care,” UNFPA said a press release Friday.

Mounting stress and anxiety means many women are likely to face obstetric complications and access to maternal health services is being increasingly limited by the conflict.

“It is critical that humanitarian assistance, including medical supplies and equipment, be given safe passage into Gaza to enable us to provide assistance to pregnant women,” said UNFPA executive director Babatunde Osotimehin.

Several emergency maternity centres established with UNFPA support in previous years have been affected and are no longer operational, leaving many women without access to safe delivery services.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said over 140,000 people have been displaced by the conflict, including 25,000 women of reproductive age and 5,000 pregnant women. – BERNAMA