Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 23rd Andrew Sabton, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, warned on the 22nd that severe malnutrition in Gaza may have "intergenerational impact" on pregnant women and newborns.

After visiting Gaza on the same day, Sabton said that about a quarter of Gaza's population is facing hunger, including 11,500 pregnant women, and the "intergenerational impact" caused by malnutrition may "lead to lifelong health risks for babies".

At present, 70 percent of newborns in Gaza are premature or underweight, far higher than 20 percent before the conflict.Saberton said that more than 90 percent of hospitals in Gaza were damaged or destroyed, and only a handful of medical institutions have maternal emergency care capabilities.In addition, some pregnant women are forced to undergo unsafe abortions, and maternal mortality rates have risen significantly.

Saberton also said that despite the recent ceasefire making it easier for humanitarian workers to take action, ¡°assistance to Gaza is still far from sufficient,¡± calling for increased aid to Gaza to prevent a long-term health crisis.

Also on the 22nd, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros said that WHO had arranged for 41 critically ill patients and 145 accompanying personnel to evacuate Gaza. Tedros called on countries to "show unity and open all channels to accelerate medical evacuations" on social media X. (Lin Ruizhu)