Maternal and child health in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The Countdown to 2015 intervention coverage indicators in the occupied Palestinian territory are similar to those of other Arab countries, although there are gaps in continuity and quality of services across the continuum of the perinatal period. Since the mid 1990s, however, access to maternity facilities has become increasingly unpredictable. Mortality rates for infants (age </=1 year) and children younger than 5 years have changed little, and the prevalence of stunting in children has increased. Living conditions have worsened since 2006, when the elected Palestinian administration became politically and economically boycotted, resulting in unprecedented levels of Palestinian unemployment, poverty, and internal conflict, and increased restrictions to health-care access. Although a political solution is imperative for poverty alleviation, sustainable development, and the universal right to health care, women and children should not have to wait. Urgent action from international and local decision makers is needed for sustainable access to high-quality care and basic health entitlements.
Rahim
Hanan F Abdul
HF
Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Birzeit.
Wick
Laura
L
Halileh
Samia
S
Hassan-Bitar
Sahar
S
Chekir
Hafedh
H
Watt
Graham
G
Khawaja
Marwan
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001723:Birth Rate; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D046688:Child Mortality; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008877:Middle East; D011203:Poverty; D012923:Social Class; D014857:Warfare