Meeting the rehabilitation needs of children with debilitating injuries and disability in Gaza.

Abstract

Background: Children have been severely affected by the October 2023 war in Gaza. Over 12 000 of them have been injured and many live in unprecedented circumstances with debilitating injuries and disability.

Aim: To document the rehabilitation needs of children with debilitating injuries and disability in Gaza.

Methods: We reviewed the clinic data of children in need of rehabilitation from the Children Not Numbers database to highlight their disability types and the treatment and care required and received.

Results: Until the time of this documentation, 242 children from Gaza had been referred to Children Not Numbers for management, of which 63 (26%) required rehabilitation due to debilitating injuries and disability. The majority (60%) of those requiring rehabilitation presented with traumatic conditions and 32% presented with neurologic conditions. Average age of these children was 6.9 years (range 4 months to 17 years).

Conclusions: Rehabilitation and continuous care and support is essential for injured and disabled children who survive the war in Gaza, to give them a better chance of achieving optimal functional outcomes and wellbeing. And this can only be achieved through intersectoral, international collaborations and partnerships to address their needs beyond the cessation of hostilities.