The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has today (12th January) condemned the continued blocking of Irish-funded maternity care from entering the Gaza strip, and has urged the Irish Government to engage with its Israeli counterparts in ensuring the reach those in need.
The mobile maternity units, which were part funded by donations from across the island of Ireland, have been developed to provide women in Gaza with safe and secure maternity care.
The units have been denied access due to restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on the entry of medical vehicles into Gaza. As a result, the units are unable to cross despite being ready for deployment.
The coordination efforts are led by Medics World Wide, working closely with key humanitarian and coordinating bodies, most notably the Egyptian Red Crescent and the Egyptian Committee.
Speaking about the maternity units, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Phil Ni Sheaghdha said:
“We support all of the hard work of those who fundraised for these essential purpose-built mobile maternity units. They’re needed to provide the most fundamental care to women and infants in Gaza. It is inexplicable that they would be denied entry at the border.
“After years of violence, brutality, and genocide, the people of Gaza urgently need access to medical care, and we were heartened by the response of the Irish public in funding specially fitted units for maternity care. The continued refusal to allow them to enter the Gaza strip is a blatant beach of the most fundamental of human rights.
“We are urging the Irish Government to make representations directly to the Israeli Government, as well as through the UN and European Union, to allow this medical aid through the border.”
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has written to Minister Helen McEntee in relation maternity ambulances entering Gaza. The letter is available here.
