Gaza: Birth Defects
House of Lords
Written answers and statements, 2 November 2009
Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat)
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will recommend that reporting mechanisms be set up in Gaza, following the offensive by Israel, to investigate congenital abnormalities in babies born over the five years from 2010.
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Labour)
The World Health Organisation is currently monitoring the incidence of congenital abnormality in Gaza. The agency has carried out a retrospective study of 2008 to act as a baseline for ongoing monitoring. We understand that from a preliminary examination of 2009 data there is not an increased level of congenital abnormality in Palestinian children in Gaza. We will follow closely further conclusions reached.