Depletion of therapeutic milk threats children’s lives, Ahmad Abu Shanab, 11, and his brother Jihad, 10, from Al-Shejaeya, east of the Gaza Strip, suffer from abdominal bloating, accompanied by severe diarrhea, loss of weight, which are the most prominent symptoms of “Galactosemia”.
Their father says: “the unavailability of therapeutic Gelactomin milk for my children increased their suffering, especially since they have to adhere to a strict diet of fish, meat, and apples, which is expensive”. Galactosemia is a rare metabolic condition that prevents babies from digesting a milk sugar called galactose and turning it into energy. The disorder can cause many problems for newborns and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Mr. Abu Shanab explained his suffering in providing the milk on his own expense, where the box costs more than 100$, and with the delivery, the price could reach more than 200$ to go through the crossing checkpoint of Beit Hanoun (Erez).
The Director-General of Pharmacy in the Palestinian Ministry of Health Dr. Munir al-Bursh said that the therapeutic milk is not available in local pharmacies. It is worth mentioning that the ministry needs (60) cans of milk per month to be distributed among 10 patients, 6 cans per patient.