Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Gaza: A Crisis Amidst Chaos
Gaza City is grappling with a severe health crisis. The ongoing siege and conflict have created not only destruction but also conditions ripe for disease. As a result, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is on the rise, affecting many residents.
GBS is a rare autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves. This leads to weakness and, in severe cases, paralysis. Globally, it affects about 1 to 2 people per 100,000. However, in Gaza, this number is rising rapidly.
The exact cause of GBS isn’t fully understood, but certain infections, like those from the Campylobacter jejuni bacteria, are known triggers. Timely medical intervention is crucial to manage symptoms and prevent complications. This typically involves intensive care, including ventilators and specialized treatments like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
However, Gaza’s healthcare system is under immense strain. According to the Ministry of Health, there were 130 recorded cases of GBS from June to October 2025, with 20 fatalities. The system’s failures, exacerbated by a lack of resources and ongoing violence, have allowed the situation to deteriorate. Up to 90% of the area’s water and sanitation infrastructure is damaged, creating conditions that promote infections and compromise immune systems.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra, head of the pediatric department at Al-Nasser Hospital, has witnessed the alarming rise in GBS cases. He shared heartbreaking stories of children who suddenly lost their ability to walk after attempting to gather water. These troubling signs often go unnoticed until the condition escalates.
“Before the conflict, we saw one GBS case a year. Now we see one or two every day,” Dr. Al-Farra lamented. The progression of symptoms has also quickened; what once took a week can now happen within 48 hours.
As resources dwindle, medical staff face impossible choices—who to treat first when both GBS patients and trauma victims from bombings need urgent care. The lack of access to necessary medications, especially IVIG, means many could have their lives saved if adequate treatment were available.
Wadeaa Abu al-Saoud, a journalist, shared his personal struggles as his wife became one of the early GBS patients. Separated from her for safety, he ultimately faced a grim reality as her condition worsened. Despite efforts from humanitarian groups to secure IVIG for her, the ongoing violence complicates everything.
The emotional and physical toll of this health crisis is profound. Families are torn apart and forced to navigate a reality where even basic medical care is a luxury.
This situation calls for urgent action—improved nutrition, safe drinking water, and medical resources are essential to combat the surge of GBS. Without immediate and sustained efforts, countless lives remain at risk from a condition that, with proper care, could be managed anywhere else.
For those in Gaza, the need for care is urgent and undeniable. Every moment counts.
For further details on the humanitarian situation, visit UN OCHA.
