Maternal and child health in the occupied Palestinian territory
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Date
2009-03
Abstract
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 confl ict, 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